In March, Wellington publicly said a Chinese “state-sponsored group” was behind a 2021 “malicious” cyber attack that infiltrated sensitive government computer systems.
The country’s counter-espionage agency said a state-backed group known as “APT40” compromised computers linked to its parliamentary network.
New Zealand politicians have traditionally been cautious about any comments or actions that risk China’s ire, for fear of incurring damaging political or economic sanctions like those levied on Australia and Canada by Beijing.
China’s Communist Party rulers dismiss allegations of hacking and political interference while accusing smaller nations of being puppets of Washington.
Earlier this week Peters gave a speech urging New Zealanders to consider joining a landmark defence technology pact with Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Arguing the underpinnings of New Zealand’s independent-minded foreign policy has “seismically shifted” Peters said New Zealand should take part in AUKUS efforts to develop advanced military technology like artificial intelligence, undersea drones and hypersonic missiles.
The pact is fiercely opposed by Beijing, which says it is designed to contain China.