New Zealand Police Close Foreign Interference Loophole

New Zealand Police just fixed a security gap that had been hiding in plain sight for years.

An investigation by Stuff revealed that the Chinese Consulate had been contacting a senior police manager directly for help with criminal cases, with no oversight or approval process in place. The manager, Jessica Phuang, worked as an ethnic liaison officer for two decades, building relationships between police and ethnic communities.

Internal emails showed concerns being raised repeatedly. One officer warned that sharing information with the Consulate could breach both the Police Act and the Privacy Act. Despite the objection, that officer's contact details were passed along anyway.

Police admitted this week that nobody was monitoring these dealings. Acting Assistant Commissioner Uraia Vakaruru confirmed there was "no specific oversight in place" and no requirement for authorization before information was shared with foreign governments.

The security agencies noticed. New Zealand's SIS referenced the situation in its 2025 threat report, describing activity that supported "a foreign state's objectives." The concerns weren't just about one person but about a system that left national security vulnerable.

The Bright Side

The investigation sparked immediate action. Police acknowledged they had "insufficient robust guidance" for staff engaging with representatives of foreign governments and are now preparing new policies and training.

The changes mean requests from foreign missions now go directly to the officer in charge of each case, who can assess the risks before deciding whether to engage. Staff will soon have clear guidance on how to interact with foreign officials while protecting both privacy and security.

Police described the reforms as giving officers "confidence to have these interactions while also mitigating any risks of foreign interference." The new framework balances community engagement with the ethnic communities New Zealand values while protecting sensitive information.

Phuang retired from her role last year. Her two decades of work included organizing cultural competency trips to China for nearly 70 police staff, which after review raised concerns about exposure to potential foreign interference.

The policy updates represent a significant shift in how New Zealand approaches the intersection of community policing and national security. By closing loopholes before they could be further exploited, police turned a vulnerability into a stronger foundation for the future.

Sometimes the best news comes from catching problems early and fixing them right.