The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has upgraded its presence in New Zealand to a standalone office in Wellington, marking a significant step in bilateral law enforcement cooperation between the two countries. FBI Director Kash Patel personally traveled to New Zealand to inaugurate the office, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing global issues.
Patel highlighted the strong relationship between the FBI and New Zealand law enforcement agencies, citing their joint efforts in countering Chinese influence in the Asia Pacific region. “Some of the most important global issues of our times are the ones that New Zealand and America work on together – countering the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] in the Indo PACOM theatre, countering the narcotics trade, working together against cyber-intrusions and ransomware operations and, most importantly, protecting our respective citizenry,” Patel said in a video shared by the US embassy.
The FBI’s upgraded office will oversee the bureau’s operations in Pacific countries, including Antarctica, Samoa, Niue, the Cook Islands, and Tonga. This move demonstrates the growing importance of the region in global geopolitics and the need for enhanced cooperation to address shared security concerns.
New Zealand’s Minister Judith Collins and Police Minister Mark Mitchell welcomed the FBI’s decision, stating it would help “keep New Zealand safe and secure”. Patel met with senior government ministers, including Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters, to discuss law enforcement initiatives and strengthen partnerships.
The US and New Zealand are both members of the “Five Eyes” intelligence-sharing network, which includes Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. This partnership enables the countries to share intelligence and coordinate efforts to address common security threats, such as terrorism, cybercrime, and organized crime.
The FBI’s upgraded presence in New Zealand comes amid growing concerns about China’s expanding influence in the Pacific region. Washington fears that China may establish a military base in the region, which has traditionally been considered the US’s sphere of influence. The strengthened partnership between the US and New Zealand reflects their shared commitment to maintaining regional stability and security.