92% of violent extremist content removed following DIA intervention, new report shows
4 August 2026
The Department of Internal Affairs recorded a 92 percent removal rate of violent extremist content online in 2025, meaning the vast majority of harmful content identified by investigators was taken down by the platforms following intervention, new figures show.
The findings, released today in the 2025 Digital Violent Extremism Transparency Report, provide insights into New Zealand’s efforts to detect, disrupt, and prevent the spread of violent extremist content in our online environments.
DIA’s Digital Violent Extremism Team received 656 website links for investigation during the year, relating to content that promotes or glorifies real-world violence, with material linked to the Christchurch terrorist attack continuing to feature prominently, making up 32 percent of referrals.
“Removing this material quickly is critical to reducing the risk of harm, copycat behaviour, or further radicalisation,” says Jared Mullen, General Manager Digital Safety and Identity Investigations.
“The faster it comes down, the fewer people it reaches.”
The report also highlights the broader impacts of the team’s work beyond individual removals. In 2025, DIA:
- Contributed 83 pieces of objectionable content to the Terrorist Content Analytics Platform, helping prevent re-upload and global spread.
- Delivered 14 presentations and nine workshops to partners in New Zealand and overseas to strengthen collective response efforts.
- Executed three search warrants and issued three prosecution orders.
- Issued 34 formal take-down notices and 89 requests to unique website platforms.
The report also outlines targeted enforcement activity during the year, including Operation Flare 2. In August 2025, DIA investigators, supported by New Zealand Police, executed two search warrants after a youth offender was found to be breaching bail conditions around unsupervised internet use.
The individual had previously been prosecuted for offenses involving the distribution of terrorist and violent extremist content, child sexual exploitation material, and material involving bestiality, necrophilia, and the sexual abuse of animals.
Multiple devices were seized during the operation, where further illegal material depicting extreme violence and evidence of continued engagement with violent extremist networks was found. The individual has been charged, and the matter is before the Youth Court.
“This is not passive behaviour, it is active engagement with violent material that cause real-world harm,” says Jared Mullen.
Mullen says collaboration is critical to this work.
“No single agency can tackle this alone.”
“The team will continue to work with partners in New Zealand and around the world to identify harmful content, remove it from online platforms, and prosecute those who spread it.”
Head to https://www.dia.govt.nz/Countering-Violent-Extremism-Transparency-reports to read the report in full.
-ENDS-
Media contact:
Media Desk
Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua
Mobile: +64 27 535 8639
Email: media@dia.govt.nz
