New Zealanders Almost Spied on by Chinese Spies Through Job and Networking Sites
The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) has confirmed that several New Zealanders were approached by Chinese intelligence operatives seeking sensitive information through job and networking platforms, according to statements by SIS Director Mike Ward. Ward warned that the individuals “almost gave away information that could have compromised national security,” though no specific details about the cases were disclosed. The revelation comes amid a broader warning from the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which includes the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia, about increased Chinese espionage activities targeting professionals with access to classified data.
The NZSIS described the tactics as “sophisticated and alarming,” with operatives using platforms like LinkedIn to create fake job listings and pose as recruiters for private firms. The service emphasized that targets included individuals with indirect links to government or defense data, such as academics, journalists, and professionals in the economic sector. “China’s military intelligence services are leveraging online job platforms to identify and exploit vulnerabilities among Five Eyes personnel and their networks,” the agency stated in a public bulletin. The warning aligns with a separate alert from Australia’s Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), which reported similar strategies by Chinese spies in May 2026.
The Chinese Embassy in Wellington denied the allegations, calling them “completely groundless” in a statement released on June 5, 2026. The embassy asserted that China “has never engaged in espionage activities targeting New Zealanders through job platforms” and criticized the NZSIS for “spreading unfounded claims that damage bilateral relations.” This response mirrors previous denials from Chinese officials regarding similar accusations in 2023 and 2024, when the Five Eyes alliance first flagged concerns about Beijing’s use of social media and recruitment networks for intelligence gathering.
The NZSIS has urged the public to remain vigilant, particularly those with ties to government or defense sectors. “Applicants should scrutinize job offers from unknown entities and avoid sharing sensitive information during recruitment processes,” a spokesperson said. The agency also highlighted that the threat extends beyond direct government employees, citing risks to “any individual whose work intersects with national security interests.” This warning follows a 2025 incident in which a New Zealand engineer was reportedly targeted by Chinese agents while working on a defense contract, though no evidence of successful breaches has been disclosed.
China’s diplomatic response underscores the tension surrounding the allegations. While the Chinese Embassy declined to comment further, state media outlets have historically dismissed Five Eyes intelligence warnings as “Cold War-era paranoia.” However, the recent escalation coincides with heightened scrutiny of Chinese influence in global tech and defense sectors, including a 2026 U.S. Treasury report linking Beijing to cyberattacks on defense contractors. The NZSIS has not provided specifics on how the alleged attempts were uncovered, but it cited “coordinated intelligence sharing” with Five Eyes partners as the basis for its findings.