In a strategic move underscoring growing international security concerns, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has opened a permanent office in New Zealand. The announcement was made by FBI Director Kash Patel during his visit to Wellington, where he held meetings with senior government ministers, intelligence chiefs, and law enforcement leaders.
The decision to establish a permanent presence in New Zealand is rooted in shared security priorities between Washington and Wellington, particularly amid rising global tensions linked to China. Patel emphasized the importance of collaboration among like-minded intelligence partners, stating in a video released by the U.S. Embassy in Wellington, “Some of the most important global issues of our times are the ones that New Zealand and America work on together.”
New Zealand is a longstanding member of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which also includes the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. This network allows for extensive intelligence-sharing and coordinated security strategies among the five democracies.
“The FBI cannot do it alone,” Patel added. “Our partners in the Five Eyes are our greatest partners around the world. But we need all of them… to get after the fight and put the mission first.”
According to the U.S. Embassy, the new FBI office in New Zealand will be responsible for investigating a wide range of security threats, including terrorism, cybercrime, fraud, organized crime, money laundering, child exploitation, and foreign intelligence operations. The office will also oversee FBI partnerships in the wider Pacific region, including Samoa, Niue, the Cook Islands, Tonga, and even Antarctica.
New Zealand’s Minister for Intelligence Services, Judith Collins, welcomed the move, calling the FBI a “valued intelligence partner.” The deepening cooperation signals a mutual commitment to countering emerging threats in the Indo-Pacific region, especially those posed by China’s expanding geopolitical influence.
The FBI operates hundreds of overseas offices as part of its global network to combat transnational threats. The opening of the Wellington office marks a significant step in bolstering security collaboration between the U.S. and New Zealand in an increasingly complex global environment.
