Andrew Hampton, director general of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, addressed foreign interference during a community event organised by the Waitākere Ethnic Board in Auckland on 25 September. Photo: RNZ / Liu Chen
The Ministry for Ethnic Communities has unveiled a suite of digital resources to protect people from foreign interference.
The material includes information on topics such as doxing, online abuse and harassment, examples of foreign interference and details on New Zealand's government agencies.
The resources said doxing involved putting someone's personal details online without asking, with others encouraged to use the information to threaten or harass the person.
If people experienced doxing, they were advised to report it to the platform where it happened, Netsafe, as well as the police or the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS), according to the online material.
If online abuse or harassment was carried out for or on behalf of a foreign state, this was a form of foreign interference, the resources said.
If harassed, people were advised to block the contact and report it.
The ministry's website also provided information on the police, NZSIS, the Government Communications Security Bureau, Human Rights Commission and Ombudsman.
The release of the digital resources was built on the eight resources published in April, with most of the resources having been translated into 30 languages.
A panel session about foreign interference at the 2025 Ethnic Advantage conference has also been published online.
The ministry said it would launch a new online platform that provided more information and tools the ethnic communities could utilise in 2026.
Mervin Singham says New Zealand's first line of defence against foreign interference is resilient ethnic communities. Photo: RNZ / Liu Chen
Mervin Singham, chief executive at the ministry, said foreign interference was a complex and evolving issue.
"It can be subtle and deeply personal, and can affect individuals, communities and our shared sense of belonging," Singham said.
"New Zealand's first line of defence against foreign interference is resilient ethnic communities, and they do not have to face these challenges alone.
"Together we can protect what makes New Zealand strong."
People were advised to reach out to the NZSIS or police about any concerning behaviour or activity.
A full set of resources can be found on the ministry's website.
