Council Email System Compromised in Cybersecurity Breach
Taupō District Council confirmed on Thursday, October 23, 2025, that it has fallen victim to a phishing attack that resulted in malicious emails being sent from a compromised council email address. The incident prompted immediate warnings to residents and businesses to ignore any messages requesting changes to bank account details.
Phishing Email Targets Recipients
The cybersecurity breach involved a phishing email being distributed from a legitimate council email account. Recipients may have received suspicious messages with subject lines such as “(person’s name) shared ‘PO 382738.docx’ with you” or “(person’s name) shared a page with you,” which were designed to compromise the security of anyone who interacted with them.
Council officials were quick to emphasize that the organization has not changed its bank account details and urged the community to delete any emails requesting such updates. 
Minimal Damage Reported After Swift Response
In an update released at 5:15pm on the same day, the council reported positive news following intensive investigation efforts. The IT team, working alongside cybersecurity partners throughout the day, determined that the damage to the council’s network appeared to be minimal, thanks to the organization’s cybersecurity defenses.
“Our cybersecurity defences have played their part and we’re happy to report the damage to our network appears to have been minimal. We’ll be doing a full review in the days ahead, just to be 110 percent sure,” the council stated in its afternoon update.
What to Do If You Received the Email
Council officials provided clear guidance for anyone who may have received the phishing email:
If you did not open the email or click any links: You may safely delete the message.
If you opened the email and entered credentials or sensitive information:
- Change your passwords immediately, particularly for accounts using the same credentials
- Notify your IT or network security team to enable appropriate precautions
- Monitor your accounts closely for any unusual or unauthorized activity
Council’s Response and Investigation
Taupō District Council’s IT and crisis management teams moved quickly to investigate the breach and work to identify and mitigate any further impact. The council emphasized it is treating the incident with the utmost seriousness.
For anyone receiving emails from council staff members and questioning their legitimacy, the council has encouraged direct verification by calling 07 376 0899.
Cybersecurity Best Practices for Everyone
Using the incident as a teaching moment, the council shared essential cybersecurity practices that all internet users should follow:
- Think before you click: Avoid opening unexpected attachments or clicking suspicious links
- Use strong passwords: Create unique, complex passwords and change them regularly
- Enable multi-factor authentication: Add an extra layer of security wherever possible
- Keep software updated: Regular updates patch security vulnerabilities
- Back up data regularly: Protect against ransomware and data loss
- Verify requests carefully: Be cautious with emails asking for credentials or banking details—when in doubt, verify by phone
- Use protective software: Employ antivirus software and firewalls to block threats
Resources and Support Available
The council directed residents to Netsafe, New Zealand’s online safety organization, which provides comprehensive information on how to spot scams at netsafe.org.nz/scams.
Anyone who believes they have been the victim of an online or email scam can contact Netsafe for free, confidential advice through the contact details available on their website.
Growing Threat to Local Government
This incident adds to a growing list of cybersecurity challenges facing local government organizations worldwide. Phishing attacks remain one of the most common and effective methods used by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to systems and sensitive information.
The swift response and transparency demonstrated by Taupō District Council in communicating with the public serves as an example of effective crisis management in the face of cyber threats. The council’s investment in cybersecurity defenses appears to have limited what could have been a more serious breach.
As the council continues its full review of the incident over the coming days, officials have thanked the community for their understanding and cooperation during the investigation and response efforts.
Contact Information:
For verification of council emails: 07 376 0899
For scam support: Netsafe
