China Cyber Threat: New Zealand Warns of Persistent State-Backed Hacking

New Zealand has identified China cyber threat activity as its most persistent and capable state-backed cyber threat, according to the country’s annual cyber security report. Officials said foreign-backed hackers are targeting organisations that hold sensitive information or operate important services.

The National Cyber Security Center (NCSC), which is part of New Zealand’s intelligence community, reported that it had discovered suspected cyber activities linked to China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. According to the NSA, such actions put sensitive information housed in the country at danger.

China Cyber Threat Remains a Major Concern

The NCSC stated that China was the most persistent and capable state actor engaged in cyber activities against New Zealand. The evaluation was included in the organization’s annual Cyber Threat Report, which was released on Thursday.

The report comes after New Zealand’s security agency stated in August that China was the only country it has identified as undertaking “at scale” espionage. China has routinely denied claims of cyber espionage.

The most recent report covers the fiscal year ending in June 2026. During that time, the NCSC identified 369 cyber events as having potential national significance. Of those, 86 were suspected of having ties to state-sponsored organisations.

Government agencies, health and education organisations, and managed IT service providers were among those affected. These groups can store vast volumes of personal, corporate, or government data.

Cyber Activity Spreads Across Critical Sectors

The NCSC also warned that geopolitical competition is expanding throughout the South Pacific. The CIA said it has uncovered state-sponsored cyber espionage targeting regional governments and infrastructure.

New Zealand has strong family, cultural, political, and economic ties throughout the Pacific. The agency stated that cyber activities against governments and infrastructure might have an impact on citizens, businesses, and civic institutions.

According to the NCSC, state-backed groups are likely to target companies that manage infrastructure and networks, offer critical public services, or store information that could provide a strategic advantage.

The organization also underlined the difficulty in spotting certain cyber operations. Attackers might spend significant amounts of time within systems, researching networks and gaining access before attempting to obtain intelligence or disrupt services.

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Long-Term Intrusions Could Expose Sensitive Data

The NCSC cautioned that certain cyber breaches could go undetected for months or even years. During this time, attackers can collect information about systems and keep access for future activities.

The organization warned that long-running attacks could eventually have an impact on operational technologies. They could potentially result in the theft or disclosure of corporate and personal data.

New Zealand’s most recent assessment identifies state-sponsored cyber activities as one of the country’s security challenges. According to the NCSC, businesses that operate critical networks and services must remain vigilant against attempts to obtain and maintain illegal access.