CCP Lectures New Zealand on Responsible Media

Media Release | 30 January 2026 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Chinese Embassy has once again shown its true colours, calling for The New Zealand Herald to silence one of its own columnists for being “divisive”. This comes just two months after a brazen letter from the embassy scolding New Zealand MPs for attending a Taiwanese event in November 2025.

Ironically, the op-ed at the centre of the controversy, published on January 29 and titled “Taiwan and China: Speech is the front line”, is being criticised precisely for exercising the freedom it defends. In this case, the columnist is exactly right. Speech is the front line.

The embassy’s spokesperson claims that “this is not a matter of freedom of expression”. Frankly, it is.

The Chinese Embassy ought to become accustomed to the reality that New Zealanders have a fundamental right to free expression, including the right to call out interference by the Chinese Communist Party in New Zealand’s democratic institutions.

“At PILLAR, our warnings about foreign interference in New Zealand are not speculative. They are increasingly being affirmed by events like this” Said Nathan Seiuli, PILLAR Executive Director. “What we are witnessing is not diplomacy. It is pressure.”

Just as the embassy’s rebuke of democratically elected MPs in November was unjustified, so too are its remarks aimed at influencing the functioning of New Zealand’s fourth estate.

The spokesperson further stated that “it is disappointing that The New Zealand Herald chose to publish an article that facilitates rhetoric and activities advocating ‘Taiwan independence’”, adding that “it is hoped that The New Zealand Herald will act as a responsible media outlet, rather than mislead the public or do harm to others without benefiting itself”.

“Statements like this are an attempt to dictate what New Zealand’s media can publish. That is unacceptable. The Chinese Embassy should stay out of decisions made by our independent press” said Seiuli.

Adding to the concern is the fact that a former New Zealand Ambassador to China has affirmed the embassy’s position. We should be asking ourselves a serious question. Have we sunk this low in self-respect and national sovereignty?

Just because China does not have a free media does not mean New Zealand should surrender ours.

Media contact: team@nzpillar.com