PM to follow up on academic break-in
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has told intelligence agencies to investigate media reports that a prominent Christchurch academic may have been targeted for her research on China.
University of Canterbury professor Anne-Marie Brady’s work on Chinese political influence has had a global impact. Her 2017 report Magic Weapons presented New Zealand as a case study of China’s growing use of ‘‘soft power’’ tactics in areas like party politics, media and education.
Brady’s home was broken into last week and three laptops, two cellphones and an encrypted memory stick were taken. She also received a letter telling her ‘‘what was going on’’ and warning her that she would be attacked. The letter has been given to police, who are investigating the break-in.
The break-in at Brady’s home following an incident two months earlier when her university office was broken into. Brady said last week that she was prepared for such eventualities and was not intimidated.
Ardern said at the post-Cabinet press conference on Monday that ‘‘everyone would be concerned’’ if Brady had been targeted because of her academic work.
‘‘If there’s evidence of that, we should be taking stock and taking action,’’ Ardern said. ‘‘I will certainly ask some questions.
‘‘I would certainly want to be informed if there was evidence that this was a targeted action against someone who was raising issues around foreign interference.’’
Brady was impressed by the Government’s response.
‘‘I am very heartened to see the Prime Minister is taking the issue of foreign interference activities in New Zealand very seriously and that she has instructed the security agencies to look into the break-ins I have experienced,’’ Brady said.
Australian fears of Chinese influence have prompted the introduction of laws to ban foreign political donations and create greater transparency around foreign agents. Asked why Australia seems to be ahead of New Zealand in laws to combat to the threat of foreign influence, Ardern said she ‘‘wouldn’t for a moment concede that we aren’t live to issues of foreign influence generally [and] constantly making sure that our laws are up to date and fit for purpose.’’