Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Bill
This bill creates new crimes to stop foreign governments from secretly interfering in New Zealand. If someone acts on behalf of a foreign government in a sneaky, threatening, or dishonest way that could harm New Zealand — things like elections, national security, or people's rights — they could go to prison. It also closes gaps in existing laws about spying and treason. Protest, strike action, and advocacy are specifically protected and would not on their own be treated as crimes under these new rules.
What this affects
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The bill creates new prison sentences for people who secretly work for foreign governments to harm New Zealand or commit crimes on their behalf.
A person commits an offence if the person engages in improper conduct for or on behalf of a foreign power… intending to compromise a protected New Zealand interest… liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years.
A person commits an offence if the person commits any imprisonable offence for or on behalf of a foreign power intending to provide a relevant benefit to a foreign power… liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years.
The bill would require the Attorney-General to consent before proceedings can be brought for these offences.
Progress through Parliament
Have your say
This bill is open for public submissions to the Justice Committee. Anyone can tell the committee what they think, and you don’t need to be an expert. Submissions close 15 January 2025.
Bill text sourced from legislation.govt.nz (Parliamentary Counsel Office). Arapono’s summary and breakdown are drafted with AI grounded in that official text and reviewed by an Arapono editor for accuracy and neutrality before publishing. Arapono is non-partisan and takes no position on this bill.