Minister Responsible for the GCSB and NZSIS Judith Collins and Police Minister Mark Mitchell welcomed the upgrade during a visit from FBI Director Kash Patel, who inaugurated the new office at the US Embassy earlier today and installed a permanent Legal Attaché (Legat) position.
Collins said the move reflects the strength of the Five Eyes partnership and enhances New Zealand’s safety and security.
“We exchanged a range of insights on areas such as transnational organised crime, counter-terrorism, cyber-security and espionage,” she said.
“NZSIS and GCSB relationships with overseas partners like the FBI, as well as their support to New Zealand Police, are an important part of how the intelligence agencies deliver on their mission to keep New Zealand safe and secure.”
Mitchell said Patel’s visit sends a clear message to criminals that they cannot hide behind borders.
“New Zealand Police are continually working with their overseas counterparts like the FBI to catch those engaged in illegal, harmful activities such as drug smuggling and online child exploitation, as well as disrupting and preventing this offending from happening in the first place,” he said.
“Police are part of a global effort on law enforcement. Director Patel’s visit was an excellent opportunity to share our common concerns while reinforcing the importance of New Zealand and the US working together to protect our citizens.”
Patel is the most senior member of the US administration to visit New Zealand since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term in office.
Broadcaster Chris Lynch is an award winning journalist who also produces Christchurch news and video content for domestic and international companies. This article was originally published by Chris Lynch Media and is published here with kind permission.
“We exchanged a range of insights on areas such as transnational organised crime, counter-terrorism, cyber-security and espionage,” she said.
“NZSIS and GCSB relationships with overseas partners like the FBI, as well as their support to New Zealand Police, are an important part of how the intelligence agencies deliver on their mission to keep New Zealand safe and secure.”
Mitchell said Patel’s visit sends a clear message to criminals that they cannot hide behind borders.
“New Zealand Police are continually working with their overseas counterparts like the FBI to catch those engaged in illegal, harmful activities such as drug smuggling and online child exploitation, as well as disrupting and preventing this offending from happening in the first place,” he said.
“Police are part of a global effort on law enforcement. Director Patel’s visit was an excellent opportunity to share our common concerns while reinforcing the importance of New Zealand and the US working together to protect our citizens.”
Patel is the most senior member of the US administration to visit New Zealand since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term in office.
Broadcaster Chris Lynch is an award winning journalist who also produces Christchurch news and video content for domestic and international companies. This article was originally published by Chris Lynch Media and is published here with kind permission.
3 comments:
Oh goodie, more "gangsters" on the taxpayer pay roll.
I'm glad this is just for our "security" and our "protection" - otherwise, it might be difficult to explain why a US domestic law enforcement department was setting up an office on New Zealand.
Madam B, lt is the same reason NZ has domestic police officers posted to different counties throughout the world (notably SE Asia) . To help combat international crime
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