The New Zealand government said the FBI has enhanced its presence in the country with the appointment of a permanent special agent in capital city Wellington.

The FBI has opened a standalone office in New Zealand's capital in part to improve the United States and New Zealand's ability to counter China's presence in the Pacific region, FBI Director Kash Patel said on Thursday.

The FBI has maintained a suboffice in New Zealand since 2017, with both countries collaborating closely on issues such as child exploitation and organised crime. The expanded office reflects growing concerns about Chinas increasing strategic presence in the Pacific,