New Zealand’s intelligence agency has placed renewed attention on the risks faced by diaspora communities from foreign states and their proxies, highlighting concerns that have particular relevance for communities engaged in political activism and advocacy in New Zealand.

The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) 2026 Security Threat Environment report warns that diaspora community groups in New Zealand can be unfairly targeted by foreign states and their proxies in efforts to restrict the democratic rights and freedoms they enjoy as New Zealanders.

Two aspects of the report stand out.

Diaspora communities targeted by foreign states

NZSIS says foreign states and their proxies can seek to influence or restrict diaspora communities living in New Zealand. The agency identifies activities designed to limit people's ability to exercise their democratic rights and freedoms.

This is particularly significant because New Zealanders do not lose their rights to freedom of expression, association or political participation because they have cultural, religious or family connections to another country.

NZSIS has previously described transnational repression as activity carried out on behalf of a foreign state to suppress the rights and freedoms of people or groups outside that state's borders. It has identified activities including surveillance, monitoring people at protests, targeting community leaders and the use of pressure against individuals because of their political or religious activities.

The 2026 report's warning therefore raises an important question for New Zealand: how much foreign pressure is being exerted on diaspora communities operating lawfully within our democracy?

The role of insiders and proxies

The second point is equally important.

The report warns that insiders can cause harm to organisations and national security through actions that may be deliberate, influenced by outsiders, or unwitting.

That warning is significant because foreign interference does not necessarily have to involve a foreign government openly directing an organisation. NZSIS has previously explained that proxies or “co-optees” can be people based in New Zealand who act in support of a foreign state's objectives, sometimes with direct instructions and sometimes because they understand and support those objectives themselves.

NZSIS has also warned about “gatekeeping” — situations where individuals place themselves between government officials and a diaspora community and attempt to control the flow of information. The agency says such people can present themselves as community representatives while expressing views favourable to a foreign state rather than accurately representing the wider community.

For communities that have experienced political disagreements, pressure or attempts to marginalise certain voices, this aspect of the NZSIS assessment deserves serious attention.

Why this matters to the Sikh community

Although the report does not specifically use the words “India” or “Sikh” in these sections, the issues identified by NZSIS are important in the context of the concerns that the Sikh community in New Zealand has been raising.

NZSV Patshahi Daawa said:

“Even though the report does not specifically mention India or Sikhs, the continued incidents and reports that we have seen over recent years make these findings particularly significant for us. The concerns identified by NZSIS about pressure on diaspora communities, foreign influence and attempts to limit democratic rights are issues that the Sikh community cannot ignore.

NZSV – Patshahi Daawa will continue to raise concerns about the pressure faced by Sikhs and ensure that these issues reach every appropriate platform in New Zealand.

We believe Sikhs living in New Zealand have the same democratic rights and freedoms as every other New Zealander, and those rights must be protected from any form of foreign pressure or interference.”

The broader issue, therefore, is not simply about one community. It is about ensuring that all people living in New Zealand can exercise their democratic rights freely and without intimidation or foreign interference.

Sources: New Zealand Security Intelligence Service; NZSIS Security Threat Environment assessments.