Media release: New Zealand Jewish Council…

The Australian governments decision to proscribe the IRGC as a terrorist organisation is both welcome and necessary.

The New Zealand Jewish Council expresses grave concern at the confirmation that the Iranian regime was directly involved in recent antisemitic firebombing attacks on Jewish institutions in Australia. In addition, the Council stands with the Australian Jewish community in both its appreciation of the government agencies and our concern for the implications of Iranian terror in this part of the world. These attacks, investigated by the Australian Federal Police, ASIO, and state police, were instigated and supported by a foreign power intent on spreading terror.

For many years, Jewish and Iranian communities across Australasia have warned of the global threat posed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Iranian regime’s primary organ for orchestrating terror worldwide. The Australian government’s decision to proscribe the IRGC as a terrorist organisation is both welcome and necessary.

The implications for New Zealand are clear. The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) 2023 Threat Environment Report specifically identifies Iran as one of the few states conducting persistent foreign interference here. The report highlights Iran’s monitoring and intimidation of diaspora communities and dissidents, as well as broader attempts to undermine social cohesion through harassment, surveillance, and disinformation. The 2025 report released last week also refers to Iran’s continued and growing interference.

While the National Terrorism Threat Level in New Zealand remains “low” – meaning an attack is not imminent but a realistic possibility – the SIS warns that autocratic states, including Iran, actively use coercive and covert means against New Zealanders.

“The events in Australia should serve as a wake-up call for New Zealand,” said Moses. “While our community draws some comfort from knowing that New Zealand’s security agencies take these threats seriously, we cannot assume our distance shields us from these threats.

“The same regime that armed Hamas for the October 7 atrocities, funds Hezbollah and the Houthis to attack Israel, and openly threatens nuclear annihilation, is now shown to have targeted Jewish communities in Australasia.

“The actions of the Iranian Government towards Jewish people are not just intended to terrorise Jews, but to foment anti-Jewish sentiment and create destabilisation within the wider community. We urge everyone who supports democratic values, including the right to freely and safely practise their religion, to recognise and stand up to threats to these values.”

New Zealand must act decisively to ensure that foreign regimes cannot bring their campaign of division and fear to our shores. The Council urges the New Zealand Government to:

  • Proscribe the IRGC as a terrorist organisation, aligning with Australia and other democratic partners.
  • Strengthen intelligence and law enforcement cooperation with Australia and other allies to disrupt foreign-backed extremism.
  • Protect vulnerable communities, ensuring Jewish New Zealanders and other diaspora groups are shielded from transnational terrorism, delegitimisation and intimidation.