A soldier in the New Zealand Defence Force has pleaded guilty to attempted espionage, marking a significant first in the country’s military history. This conviction, which took place in a military court on October 16, 2023, is the first of its kind for spying in New Zealand. The soldier’s identity has not been disclosed, nor has the foreign power he attempted to assist.
In military court proceedings, it was revealed that the soldier believed he was communicating with a foreign agent as early as 2019. He attempted to share sensitive military information such as base telephone directories, maps, security assessments, and his personal identification details, which the court noted “were likely to prejudice the security or defense of New Zealand.”
The investigation into the soldier’s activities began in connection with a broader operation initiated after the tragic terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch on March 15, 2019. The attack, carried out by Australian national Brenton Tarrant, resulted in the deaths of 51 individuals. The soldier had attracted the attention of law enforcement due to his involvement with right-wing extremist groups, which led to interactions with an undercover officer gathering intelligence about these groups.
As the investigation progressed, the soldier was found to possess incriminating material, including a copy of Tarrant’s livestreamed video of the attack and a manifesto that Tarrant had published online prior to the shootings. In New Zealand, possessing such content without authorization is a criminal offense. The soldier has also admitted to this charge, joining a small number of individuals convicted for possessing or sharing the banned material associated with the Christchurch attack.
During the court proceedings, the soldier’s lawyer, Steve Winter, characterized the nationalist groups with which his client was involved as “no more than groups of friends with similar points of view.” He further asserted that the soldier does not support the ideology of the Christchurch shooter.
The soldier, who was stationed at Linton Military Camp near Palmerston North, also pleaded guilty to accessing a military computer system for dishonest purposes. His amended charges now consist of three counts, which replaced an earlier 17 counts against him. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of either seven or ten years in prison under New Zealand law.
A military panel is expected to deliver a sentence in the coming days. This case stands out not only for its content but also for the historical context. The last espionage-related charge that reached New Zealand’s civilian courts occurred in 1975, when a public servant was acquitted of allegations regarding the disclosure of information to Russian agents.
A spokesperson for the New Zealand Defence Force has stated that further comments on the case will be withheld until the conclusion of the proceedings. As this unprecedented case unfolds, it raises critical questions about national security and the activities of individuals within the armed forces.