FBI Opens Upgraded Office in Wellington to Boost NZ-US Security Cooperation

In a move that underscores the deepening of international security partnerships, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has officially opened its upgraded office in Wellington, a development hailed by New Zealand’s intelligence and law enforcement ministers as a significant step in strengthening global cooperation and protecting national security.

FBI Director Kash Patel—the most senior U.S. official to visit New Zealand since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term—led the inauguration of the new facility located at the U.S. Embassy in Wellington, where a permanent Legal Attaché (Legat) position has now been established.

The announcement came following high-level meetings between Director Patel and Minister for the GCSB and NZSIS Judith Collins and Police Minister Mark Mitchell, during which the officials discussed a broad range of global and domestic threats.

Five Eyes Partnership in Action

The opening of the upgraded FBI office demonstrates the enduring strength of the Five Eyes alliance—an intelligence-sharing partnership between New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

Judith Collins emphasized the significance of the development:

“Our intelligence agencies—NZSIS and GCSB—work closely with international partners like the FBI. These relationships are vital to delivering on their mission: keeping New Zealanders safe from threats including terrorism, cyber-attacks, and foreign interference.”

The establishment of a permanent Legat presence enhances the FBI’s ability to share real-time intelligence, coordinate on joint operations, and support New Zealand Police in ongoing investigations with transnational implications.

Targeting Global Criminal Networks

Police Minister Mark Mitchell underscored the operational value of the FBI’s presence, noting that the relationship goes far beyond diplomacy—it has real impact on crime prevention.

“This sends a strong message to transnational criminals: you can’t hide behind international borders. Whether it’s drug trafficking, cybercrime, or child exploitation, we are working together with the FBI and other partners to disrupt and stop criminal activity before it reaches our communities.”

New Zealand Police routinely cooperate with FBI counterparts on high-risk cases involving organised crime syndicates, human trafficking, and online threats, including cyber-enabled exploitation of children and financial crimes.

A Platform for Deeper Strategic Alignment

Director Patel’s visit also provided an opportunity for both nations to align more closely on common security priorities. Areas of shared concern included:

• Counter-terrorism strategies

• Cyber-security threat mitigation

• Espionage and foreign influence campaigns

• Protection of critical infrastructure and intellectual property

The ministers highlighted the benefits of combining global intelligence capabilities with local enforcement to ensure a faster and more coordinated response to emerging threats.

Enhanced Presence, Enhanced Capabilities

The Legat office in Wellington serves as the FBI’s official liaison post in New Zealand, allowing agents to work directly with their NZ counterparts. The presence of a full-time Legal Attaché enables faster collaboration on investigations, better intelligence flow, and a streamlined process for joint operations.

This upgrade builds upon decades of collaboration under bilateral agreements and multilateral frameworks, reflecting a shared commitment to security, stability, and democratic values.

Broader Strategic Implications

The decision to enhance the FBI’s footprint in New Zealand also reflects Washington’s growing focus on the Indo-Pacific region, where rising geopolitical tensions and the rapid spread of digital threats are reshaping national security priorities.

While the move is seen primarily as a law enforcement and intelligence-sharing initiative, it also symbolizes broader strategic alignment between New Zealand and the United States—particularly in the face of growing concerns over cyber warfare, geopolitical instability, and illicit trade flows.

Looking Ahead

With the upgraded FBI office now operational, New Zealand’s intelligence and police forces are better positioned to face increasingly complex challenges on both domestic and global fronts.

As Minister Collins concluded:

“This is about keeping our people and our country safe in an interconnected world. A stronger partnership with the FBI helps us do just that.”