FBI Director Kash Patel has provoked diplomatic discomfort in New Zealand by saying the opening of a new office in Wellington aims to counter China's influence.

The FBI has established a new office in Wellington, New Zealand, to strengthen cooperation with New Zealand in countering China's growing influence in the Pacific.

The FBI has opened a standalone office in New Zealand's capital in part to improve the United States and New Zealand's ability to counter China's presence in the Pacific region, FBI Director Kash Patel said on Thursday.