21 Apr 2017

Govt keeps tight-lipped about high-security visit

12:25 pm on 21 April 2017

The government is remaining secretive about which overseas officials are set to attend a high-security meeting in Queenstown this weekend.

Bill English speaks at a press conference after meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

Bill English Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Pasons-King

There has been speculation it is an annual meeting of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance made up of agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Prime Minister Bill English said the government was hosting a conference with "a number of senior officials from overseas".

A Queenstown Lakes District Council spokesman said there had been increased security checks around the town in the past few days, but he could not confirm who was visiting.

Queenstown Airport and Millbrook Resort, where the officials are rumoured to be visiting, also refused to confirm any details.