The FBI has officially opened a permanent legal attaché office at the U.S. Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand. FBI Director Kash Patel inaugurated the upgraded facility, which seeks to strengthen the Five Eyes intelligence partnership and enhance NZ’s domestic security.
Judith Collins, the NZ minister responsible for the Government Communications Security Bureau and New Zealand Security Intelli
gence Service, and Police Minister Mark Mitchell welcomed the development.
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Collins said the FBI’s presence reinforces collaboration on shared security concerns, including transnational crime, counterterrorism and cybersecurity.
“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,” she said.
Mitchell noted that the FBI’s closer engagement with NZ also sends a strong message to criminals across borders. He said local police are working closely with global partners to combat criminal activities such as drug trafficking and child exploitation.
The opening of the new FBI office follows last week’s meeting of senior U.S. and New Zealand Army commanders in Wellington, where discussions centered on enhancing interoperability and combined readiness amid an evolving security landscape. New Zealand Defence Force troops are also participating in the U.S.-Australia-led Talisman Sabre 2025, a multinational exercise involving more than 35,000 personnel from 19 countries.