English: NZ has always dealt with foreign influence

National Party leader and former prime minister Bill English says dealing with foreign influence in NZ is nothing new.

Mr English told Morning Report that he had faith in the country's security services to handle the issue of soft-power influence in New Zealand policy.

Security chiefs have called for a wider conversation on the issue of foreign influence in New Zealand in the briefings to incoming ministers. They furthermore warned that Beijing had been showing activity in attempting to influence Chinese diaspora in New Zealand and other parts of the world.

The former prime minister said the issue is nothing new and local laws provide a safeguard against foreign meddling.

New Zealand electoral law requires that party donations over $1,500 be disclosed. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern yesterday also said New Zealand political parties have a much lower spending threshold than their Australian counterparts.

The Australian government last week announced sweeping reforms to combat foreign influence in its political systems.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said foreign political donations will be banned, the legal definition of espionage changed and a register introduced for foreign lobbyists.

The moves come in the wake of revelations Labor Party Senator Sam Dastyari came under the influence of Chinese donors to his party, and then warned Chinese government-linked officials in Australia that they could be under surveillance.

Mr English agreed with the Prime Minister that New Zealand was a different case and we needn't rush to follow in Australia's footsteps.

Asked about National MP Jian Yang, who was revealed to have taught spies in China, Mr English said he had been upfront about his background and had become a New Zealand citizen over a decade ago.

Taking the focus off China, he pointed out that New Zealand already deals with Australian soft-power with many of our banks and insurance companies headquartered across the ditch.