New Zealand government seeks feedback on Cyber Security Strategy - Reseller News

Strategy aims to foster collaboration between government, industry and community to protect digital spaces. Credit: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon / Supplied The New Zealand government is consulting on measures to enhance the cyber security of the country’s critical infrastructure system, following the release of its Cyber Security Strategy last week. “We are primarily seeking industry feedback, from owners and operators of New Zealand’s critical infrastructure who would be directly affected by potential regulatory reform,” the department stated. “We also welcome input from individuals, businesses and communities who are directly affected by the security and resilience of our critical infrastructure. Your feedback will inform further analysis and advice to cabinet.” In a discussion document, Prime Minister and Minister for National Security and Intelligence Christopher Luxon said cyber risks were generally not well understood or collectively managed to a consistent level across New Zealand’s critical infrastructure system. “These risks are escalating due to changing technology, economic instability, and a more volatile geopolitical environment,” he said. “The impact of cyber harm is also intensifying, with a rise in reported financial losses and a global increase in cyber attacks that severely disrupt or even halt the operation of critical infrastructure, paralysing the delivery of essential services to businesses and communities.” Citing estimates from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) for 2025, the government said there were likely over $16 billion in direct losses from online threats a year in New Zealand. However, New Zealand took a predominantly voluntary approach to cyber security, with tools and guidance provided by the NCSC to help critical infrastructure entities understand and manage their cyber risks, Luxon added. “The level of investment in cyber security across the critical infrastructure system is not always commensurate with the threats faced,” he said. Contributions to the Cyber Security Strategy from industry and the public would build the foundations for a practical, flexible and responsive regime that embeds the principles of trust and cyber security into every layer of the country’s critical infrastructure system, Luxon said. The government meanwhile said its Cyber Security Strategy was designed to foster collaboration between government, industry and community in order to protect digital spaces. The overall vision for the strategy was for New Zealand to embrace cyber security to enable innovation, drive a prosperous economy and protect the country’s digital way of life, the government stated. “It is a blueprint for collective action against cyber threats focusing on strengthening foundations and protecting our long-term cyber security through four key objectives: understand, prevent and prepare, respond, and partner,” the government said. On the partnership front, the government said close collaboration with industry would be critical for its ongoing ability to understand and respond to evolving cyber threats. “Sharing unique insights and threat intelligence with private sector partners gives us a clearer picture of the cyber threats in New Zealand and how global trends are impacting us,” the strategy document reads. “This additional information can inform the government’s policy and operational priorities and enable agencies to act early to respond to and disrupt threats before they cause significant harm to New Zealand.” The consultation period on the Cyber Security Strategy runs until 19 April 2026. Feedback can be submitted via the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s consultation hub. Government IT Government Cyberattacks Cybercrime Security