"The United States is now urging potential Huawei customers to look elsewhere and the Australians are also limiting the company's involvement. Kiwis need to know why we are taking a different approach. What do they know that we don't?"

ICT Minister Amy Adams has emailed Computerworld the following statement:

"The opposition parties are painting a very misleading view of the situation. The fact is that Huawei is involved in telecommunications in more than 100 countries, and hundreds of millions of people use their technology.

"It is incorrect to suggest that the Government is not active in regards to minimising potential cyber threats, however I am not prepared to have a public discussion about our security strategies. It has been a long-standing tradition that governments do not comment on intelligence matters or individual companies.

"However, it is important to make clear that the Government takes network security seriously, and is committed to working with operators and suppliers to protect the integrity and confidentiality of New Zealand's telecommunications networks.