New Zealand Identifies China as Top State-Backed Cyber Threat

• •China is identified as New Zealand's most persistent state-backed cyber threat.
• •86 out of 369 assessed cyber incidents were linked to state actors, including China.
• •Geopolitical competition is increasing in the South Pacific, heightening cyber espionage risks.

New Zealand's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has labeled China as its most persistent and capable state-backed cyber threat. The annual Cyber Threat Report revealed that foreign actors, particularly from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, targeted government agencies and critical sectors such as health and education. In the year leading up to June 2026, 369 cyber incidents were assessed, with 86 linked to state actors. The report highlights the risks posed to sensitive information and infrastructure, warning that geopolitical tensions are escalating in the South Pacific. New Zealand's intelligence community noted that cyber espionage can remain undetected for extended periods, potentially compromising operational technology and sensitive data. This assessment follows a previous report indicating that China was the only nation conducting espionage at scale in New Zealand. The NCSC emphasized the need for vigilance against such threats.