Auckland (The NZ Today)
Government agencies are strengthening coordination ahead of the 2026 General Election, with a new group established to monitor and respond to potential threats that could affect the integrity of the electoral process.
The Ministry of Justice will lead an inter-agency Coordination Group, which will provide strategic oversight of risks including foreign interference, cyber threats, threats against candidates and election-related scams.
Ministry of Justice Chief Executive Andrew Kibblewhite said election-related risks had become more complex and rapidly evolving.
“New Zealanders must have confidence the electoral process and its outcomes are fair and free from undue influence,” he said.
The group will work alongside agencies including the New Zealand Police joint intelligence group and the Electoral Commission, while concerns requiring a wider government response may be referred through the Strategic Crisis Management System.
Officials said all agencies involved would remain politically impartial, and the new coordination structure would not replace the legal responsibilities or authority of individual agencies.
Under election security protocols, police intelligence teams will monitor issues including threats or violence towards candidates and MPs, disruption of election events, law-and-order concerns affecting voter participation, and activities that could undermine public trust in election results.
A separate senior officials committee led by the Chief Electoral Officer will provide guidance on election support activities, while a risk and security working group will focus on developing approaches to manage potential threats.
Source: RNZ, 2026 Election Protocols, Electoral Commission.
