Academics urge PM to probe threats

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been urged to make clear that foreign attacks on academic freedom will not be tolerated.

Reports of the intimidation and harassment of Canterbury University professor Anne-Marie Brady have ‘‘shocked and disturbed’’ 29 researchers and human rights advocates who signed an open letter to Ardern yesterday. Brady, who has produced high profile work on overseas influence campaigns by the Chinese government, said her office was burgled last year and her home was broken into in February. She also alleged her car had been tampered with earlier this month.

The letter’s signatories urged ‘‘New Zealand authorities to take the threats against Professor Brady more seriously’’.

‘‘Attempts to intimidate and harass one academic in New Zealand have implications for the freedoms of all the others – and indeed, for the freedoms of all who live here, including migrant communities and tangata whenua,’’ the letter said.

‘‘Freedom of expression and academic freedom are taken for granted in New Zealand, as givens upon which our social and political norms are based.

‘‘Threats to these freedoms should not be taken lightly. In these uncertain times, these are principles to hold to, and are not to be traded away.’’

Ardern said she supported and defended the right to academic freedom but would not comment further on Brady’s case while police continued two investigations – one into the burglaries of Brady’s home and office and another into the alleged sabotage of her car.

Ardern has asked intelligence agencies to investigate whether Brady may have been targeted for her research on China, but said she was yet to receive any reports back. ‘‘Quite frankly, if I received a direct report that said there was an issue that could be directly attributable to China, or at Chinese direction, we would act on that.’’

She declined to say what that action might be, and whether it would involve conversations with Chinese officials.

Brady made waves last year with her report Magic Weapons, which presented New Zealand as a case study of China’s growing use of ‘‘soft power’’ tactics in areas like party politics, media and education.

The open letter was to be tabled at the New Zealand Political Studies Association’s annual conference last night.

Brady did not return requests for comment.