Chinese tech company uses full-page ads to push for inclusion in 5G rollout despite concerns it is a security risk

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

China’s Huawei has taken out full-page ads in major New Zealand newspapers in which they equate the idea of ban on the company to a rugby tournament without the All Blacks.

The advertisement reads: “5G without Huawei is like rugby without New Zealand”, referring to the upcoming nationwide rollout of the mobile technology.

National telco Spark has been temporarily banned from using Huawei equipment in the rollout after the New Zealand’s spy agency the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) warned it would pose “significant national security risks”.

The advertisement, in newspapers owned by Stuff and the New Zealand Herald, also claims consumers may miss out on the latest technology and end up paying more.

Is Huawei a friend or foe in the battle for 5G dominance? Read more

Numerous governments around the world have longstanding concerns about the company’s relationship with China’s security and intelligence services. Its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, is under house arrest in Canada, facing US charges of conspiring to violate sanctions on Iran.

Countries that have raised concerns or issued bans on the use of Huawei 5G technology include the US, Australia, Japan, the UK, India, Germany and Italy.

Andrew Little, the minister responsible for the GCSB, said the company was not banned from operating in New Zealand, and the matter was between Huawei and Spark. Spark was taking time to collate information and advice about the company, Little said, but added it would be the minister who had the final say.

Huawei’s advertising blitz is designed to appeal to the average New Zealander, experts say, by invoking the national sport – and religion – rugby.

Bryce Edwards (@bryce_edwards) China-NZ relations and spying - Huawei's advertisement in NZ daily papers today (this one, Dominion Post) lobbying against the Government's ban on its involvement in the 5G network: pic.twitter.com/lswuiuJ2Ww

Huawei has repeatedly lobbied the government to explain why it has not been allowed to participate in the 5G rollout, but the advertisements represent a significant escalation in efforts at a time when relations between China and New Zealand appear strained.

Andrew Bowater, Huawei New Zealand’s deputy managing director, said the government had not been willing to engage in any dialogue, and the company deserved an explanation.

“There has been no evidence of wrongdoing by Huawei presented and we strongly reject the notion that our business threatens New Zealand in any way. We deserve the opportunity to have our voice heard and to address any concerns in good faith,” Bowater said.



Last year Jacinda Ardern’s first official visit to China was delayed indefinitely, and a major tourism function between the two countries has also been postponed, following reports that China would not send any government MPs to the glitzy Wellington event.

Over the weekend an Air New Zealand flight to China turned back to Auckland after five hours. Some reports suggested the “very unusual” incident was the result of a mention of the contested island of Taiwan in paperwork onboard the plane.

Ardern said New Zealand’s relationship with China was “complex” and had its challenges, but remained “incredibly important”.

Spark has indicated they plan to roll out 5G by the end of 2020 and the Huawei delay should not cause them to miss that deadline.