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  "Tony, Tony..."  NZ MP Hamish Campbell  |    |
DPP Christopher Pryde Issues Public Statement Alleging Fijian Government Agents Carried Out Covert Surveillance outside his residence in New Zealand
The Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde has issued a public statement alleging that agents of the Fijian government carried out covert surveillance outside his private home in Christchurch, New Zealand, while he was out of town attending his mother’s funeral.
In the statement, dated 12 December 2025, Pryde recounts that on 18 November 2025 he was informed by his neighbour that three men had been sitting for a prolonged period in a vehicle parked outside his house the previous day.
One of the men, identifying himself only as “Tony”, approached the neighbour and questioned him about Pryde’s whereabouts, as well as asking personal questions concerning Pryde’s wife and daughter. According to Pryde, when the neighbour challenged the men about their identity, “Tony” confirmed that they were agents of the Fijian government and asked that Pryde not be told of the encounter.
The neighbour later observed the men leaving the area and was sufficiently alarmed to raise the matter with the local Member of Parliament, Hamish Campbell. Pryde states that he subsequently visited the MP’s office himself and, on advice from parliamentary staff, lodged a formal complaint with New Zealand Police.
Pryde says he was deeply disturbed that foreign government officials appeared to be conducting surveillance and questioning civilians on New Zealand soil, without any apparent legal authority or notification to New Zealand authorities.
In his statement, Pryde emphasises that his dispute with the Fijian government is civil and contractual, relating to salary and entitlements, and is currently before the courts in Fiji. He also notes that although Fiji’s anti-corruption agency, FICAC, reportedly filed charges against him in his absence in July 2025, he has received no official notification or correspondence.
Pryde further states that the charges are based on an investigation file previously held by the Judicial Services Commission for more than two years and that the same allegations were dismissed by a three-judge tribunal, which found no evidential basis to sustain them. Following that ruling, Pryde was formally reinstated as Director of Public Prosecutions on 7 January 2025 by the President of Fiji.
However, Pryde says that on 10 January 2025, he was informed by Acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva that the file had been reopened and complaints lodged against him with both FICAC and the Judicial Services Commission. He categorically denies any wrongdoing and states that the JSC has refused to deal with the complaints, despite its constitutional obligations.
Pryde also states that he has declined to return to Fiji without written assurances that he would not again be suspended without due process, warning that such action would deprive him of income and force him to defend himself yet again.
In the closing section of his statement, Pryde raises a series of unanswered questions: whether the Christchurch incident was connected to the revived FICAC charges; whether the New Zealand government was aware that Fijian state agents were operating covertly in the country; and who within the Fijian government authorised the operation.
He concludes by warning that such conduct would not be tolerated if carried out by larger foreign powers and questions why Fiji should be allowed to act with apparent impunity in a friendly sovereign state.
The Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde has issued a public statement alleging that agents of the Fijian government carried out covert surveillance outside his private home in Christchurch, New Zealand, while he was out of town attending his mother’s funeral.
In the statement, dated 12 December 2025, Pryde recounts that on 18 November 2025 he was informed by his neighbour that three men had been sitting for a prolonged period in a vehicle parked outside his house the previous day.
One of the men, identifying himself only as “Tony”, approached the neighbour and questioned him about Pryde’s whereabouts, as well as asking personal questions concerning Pryde’s wife and daughter. According to Pryde, when the neighbour challenged the men about their identity, “Tony” confirmed that they were agents of the Fijian government and asked that Pryde not be told of the encounter.
The neighbour later observed the men leaving the area and was sufficiently alarmed to raise the matter with the local Member of Parliament, Hamish Campbell. Pryde states that he subsequently visited the MP’s office himself and, on advice from parliamentary staff, lodged a formal complaint with New Zealand Police.
Pryde says he was deeply disturbed that foreign government officials appeared to be conducting surveillance and questioning civilians on New Zealand soil, without any apparent legal authority or notification to New Zealand authorities.
In his statement, Pryde emphasises that his dispute with the Fijian government is civil and contractual, relating to salary and entitlements, and is currently before the courts in Fiji. He also notes that although Fiji’s anti-corruption agency, FICAC, reportedly filed charges against him in his absence in July 2025, he has received no official notification or correspondence.
Pryde further states that the charges are based on an investigation file previously held by the Judicial Services Commission for more than two years and that the same allegations were dismissed by a three-judge tribunal, which found no evidential basis to sustain them. Following that ruling, Pryde was formally reinstated as Director of Public Prosecutions on 7 January 2025 by the President of Fiji.
However, Pryde says that on 10 January 2025, he was informed by Acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva that the file had been reopened and complaints lodged against him with both FICAC and the Judicial Services Commission. He categorically denies any wrongdoing and states that the JSC has refused to deal with the complaints, despite its constitutional obligations.
Pryde also states that he has declined to return to Fiji without written assurances that he would not again be suspended without due process, warning that such action would deprive him of income and force him to defend himself yet again.
In the closing section of his statement, Pryde raises a series of unanswered questions: whether the Christchurch incident was connected to the revived FICAC charges; whether the New Zealand government was aware that Fijian state agents were operating covertly in the country; and who within the Fijian government authorised the operation.
He concludes by warning that such conduct would not be tolerated if carried out by larger foreign powers and questions why Fiji should be allowed to act with apparent impunity in a friendly sovereign state.
The extradition case involving Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Christopher Pryde, has been adjourned to March 27 as the court awaits confirmation that he has been properly served with disclosures.
The matter was called before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad in Suva.
Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) lawyer Lillian Mausio told the court that an investigating officer was sent to New Zealand to personally serve Mr Pryde. However, the officer found that he was not at his residence. Source: Fiji Sun
The matter was called before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad in Suva.
Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) lawyer Lillian Mausio told the court that an investigating officer was sent to New Zealand to personally serve Mr Pryde. However, the officer found that he was not at his residence. Source: Fiji Sun
Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde's extradition case will be called again on March 27th to check on the progress of service of disclosures.
The case was called before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad this morning (12 December).
FICAC Counsel, Lillian Mausio informed the court that they have sent an investigating officer to New Zealand to serve Pryde but he was not home. Mausio says they will be handing it over to a process officer in New Zealand.
Magistrate Parasad stated that even though FICAC has no objection to him presiding over the case, he still needs to hear Pryde's side as Pryde was his superior in the DPP's Office.
Pryde faces one count of abuse of office, where it is alleged that while serving as the DPP, he approved and received four gratuity payments amounting to $138,445.05 without obtaining the necessary approvals from the Office of the President and the Judicial Services Commission.
In the alternative, he is charged with causing a loss, on the basis that he dishonestly caused financial loss to the Office of the DPP by accepting these unauthorised payments.
FICAC says Pryde also faces a second count of abuse of office, where it is alleged that he approved and received eight reimbursements totalling $47,053.03 for airfares for his wife and child, despite knowing they did not reside with him in Fiji, which is contrary to the conditions of his employment contract and in breach of procurement policy.
They say in the alternative, he is charged with obtaining a financial advantage, for knowingly receiving payments to which he was not entitled.
FICAC says the third count is causing a loss, where it is alleged that on or about 16th September 2022, Pryde was reimbursed $7,828.56 for unused air tickets.
They add although the airline refunded him directly, Pryde allegedly failed to return the amount to the Office of the DPP. Source: Fijivillage News
The case was called before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad this morning (12 December).
FICAC Counsel, Lillian Mausio informed the court that they have sent an investigating officer to New Zealand to serve Pryde but he was not home. Mausio says they will be handing it over to a process officer in New Zealand.
Magistrate Parasad stated that even though FICAC has no objection to him presiding over the case, he still needs to hear Pryde's side as Pryde was his superior in the DPP's Office.
Pryde faces one count of abuse of office, where it is alleged that while serving as the DPP, he approved and received four gratuity payments amounting to $138,445.05 without obtaining the necessary approvals from the Office of the President and the Judicial Services Commission.
In the alternative, he is charged with causing a loss, on the basis that he dishonestly caused financial loss to the Office of the DPP by accepting these unauthorised payments.
FICAC says Pryde also faces a second count of abuse of office, where it is alleged that he approved and received eight reimbursements totalling $47,053.03 for airfares for his wife and child, despite knowing they did not reside with him in Fiji, which is contrary to the conditions of his employment contract and in breach of procurement policy.
They say in the alternative, he is charged with obtaining a financial advantage, for knowingly receiving payments to which he was not entitled.
FICAC says the third count is causing a loss, where it is alleged that on or about 16th September 2022, Pryde was reimbursed $7,828.56 for unused air tickets.
They add although the airline refunded him directly, Pryde allegedly failed to return the amount to the Office of the DPP. Source: Fijivillage News
