A US report into China's influence in New Zealand has highlighted concerns, including the possibility political sensitivities are stopping our intelligence agencies from investigating. The Hoover Institution, a US think-tank, released its "Chinese Influence & American Interest" report today with New Zealand presented as a case study. New Zealand is said to be particularly vulnerable because of our smaller size and China being a dominant market for dairy and tourism exports. The report says China's influence operations in New Zealand have ramped up since Xi Jinping became general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party in 2013.
And wild weather hits much of the North Island, including a lightning strike which injured four at a Hamilton school.