National Security and Intelligence Priorities

The National Security and Intelligence Priorities outline key areas of national security interest to the New Zealand Government, and assist agencies that have a national security role to make informed, joined-up decisions and define key areas of focus.

DPMC lead the development and implementation of the National Security and Intelligence Priorities.

A new set of National Security and Intelligence Priorities were approved by Cabinet in December 2018.

The 16 National Security and Intelligence Priorities (in alphabetical order) are:

• Biosecurity and human health. Threats to New Zealand's biosecurity and human health arising from human activity.
• Environment, climate change and natural resources. International environment, climate change and natural resources challenges that may impact New Zealand's interests and national security.
• Foreign influence, interference and espionage. Acts of interference, influence and espionage in and against New Zealand that would erode New Zealand's sovereignty, national security or economic advantage.
• Global economy, trade and investment. Developments in international trade governance, and New Zealand's bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral trading relationships.
• Implications of emerging technology. The implications of emerging technology and innovation trends for New Zealand's national security, international relations and economic wellbeing.
• International governance, geopolitics and global security. Developments in international governance, geopolitics and global security that may impact New Zealand's interests.
• Malicious cyber activity. Cyber threats to New Zealand from state-sponsored and other malicious actors.
• Middle East regional security. The implications of events in the Middle East region on New Zealand's national security, international relations and economic wellbeing.
• New Zealand's strategic interest in the Asia region. The implications of events in the Asia region on New Zealand's national security, international relations and economic wellbeing.
• Pacific regional stability. Protecting and promoting stability, security and resilience in the Pacific region.
• Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and conventional weapons. Non-proliferation and counter-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and conventional weapons.
• Space security. The implications of the exploitation of space and space-based technology on New Zealand's national security, international relations and economic wellbeing.
• Territorial security and sovereignty. Threats to New Zealand's territorial security and sovereign rights arising from illegal, unregulated, negligent, harmful (or potentially harmful) human activity.
• Terrorism. Threats to New Zealand, New Zealanders and New Zealand's interests from terrorism (ideologically, politically or religiously motivated violence) at home and abroad.
• Threats to New Zealanders overseas. Threats to the safety and success of New Zealand people, platforms and missions (military, police, diplomatic and civilian) overseas.
• Transnational organised crime. Threats to New Zealanders and New Zealand's interests from transnational organised crime, including trafficking, irregular migration, financial crime, fraud and corruption.