"Thousands of Chinese surveillance cameras in New Zealand schools, businesses and government agencies", 8 August 2022

Chinese surveillance cameras remain in wide use in New Zealand despite renewed controversy about them overseas.

Thousands of Hikvision CCTV cameras are installed in the country at schools, businesses, councils and government agencies.

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Hikvision is accused by critics here and abroad of helping Beijing monitor protesters, according to The New York Times, and oppress the Uyghur minority; the Washington Post Editorial Board said in May it was "about as complicit as it gets, with its cameras lining the walls of mosques and detention camps all over the Xinjiang region".

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The company has repeatedly denied the human rights claims or that its cameras are used for ethnic profiling.

A Hikvision spokesperson said the sanctions in the US and claims in the UK were "unverified".

"We did want to note that we are concerned that your research cites a Washington Post opinion piece, which is not grounded in news itself. Given this, it is hard for us to comment on the opinion put forth when it is not tied to current government action," they told RNZ.

"Hikvision has faced political headwinds in the US and UK, despite the critical role that video security plays in the fight against crime and terrorism.

"Any such decisions should be based on credible evidence and due process, instead of being driven by geopolitical agenda. Hikvision is compliant with the applicable rules and regulations of the countries we operate in and are subject to strict security requirements.

"Hikvision takes all reports of human rights very seriously and recognises our responsibility for protecting people. We have been engaging with governments throughout the world to clarify misunderstandings about the company and address these concerns."

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