New Zealand's spy agency has named China, Iran and Russia as the three main countries conducting foreign interference in New Zealand, reported from 1 News.

It's part of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service's (NZSIS) first comprehensive assessment on the threats of violent extremism, foreign interference and espionage facing New Zealand.

The report, titled New Zealand’s Security Threat Environment 2023, said while there were only a small number of states who conducted foreign interference in New Zealand, their "ability to cause harm is significant".

"NZSIS has detected interference activity from a number of foreign states. Most notable is the continued targeting of New Zealand’s diverse ethnic Chinese communities. We see these activities carried out by groups and individuals linked to the intelligence arm of the People’s Republic of China."

The report said NZSIS had also identified the Islamic Republic of Iran undertaking societal interference, including monitoring and providing reporting on Iranian communities and dissident groups.

www.anews.az