Military personnel found culpable in alleged spying operation in New Zealand’s inaugural national security threat scenario

A military court in New Zealand has convicted a soldier of attempted espionage, marking the country’s first such conviction. The soldier, whose name along with the targeted foreign power and undercover officer has been withheld by the court, was apprehended after offering to share military base maps and photos with an undercover agent. Tears were shed by both the soldier and his wife as evidence was presented in court, with close relatives providing support. The court accepted the soldier’s guilty plea but continued the hearing to determine the sentence, which is to be announced shortly. This conviction is the first of its kind in New Zealand, with only one prior espionage trial resulting in acquittal in 1975. The soldier has admitted to attempting espionage, dishonestly accessing a computer system, and possessing objectionable material. Specifically, he had copies of a video showing the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings, which made him a subject of interest following the attack. His activities came to light when he made contact with a third party expressing a desire to defect, leading to his subsequent engagement with an undercover agent. The soldier provided several military camp directories, including restricted information, and attempted to secure unauthorized access to one camp and a nearby airbase. A search of his residence uncovered service ammunition and a computer drive with a recording of the mosque shooting and the shooter’s manifesto. In a statement read by his lawyer, the soldier acknowledged his membership in the extremist groups Action Zealandia and the Dominion Movement, describing them as positive influences without acknowledging any involvement in harmful activities. He expressed understanding for the investigation but denied sympathy for the Christchurch attacks, claiming his sole motive was to leave New Zealand for perceived safety. The court martial, chaired by a panel of military officials and a judge, lasted at least two days.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/19/new-zealand-military-court-finds-soldier-guilty-of-attempted-espionage