A suspected Israeli spy was killed in the Christchurch earthquake which claimed the lives of 181 people in February, New Zealand media reported.
The Southland Times reported that one Israeli crushed in a van was found with at least five passports and was part of a group suspected of trying to hack into the police computer system.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key told the media he would not comment on the reports in detail, saying it was not in the national interest. Key did confirm that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had rung him four times on the day of the quake.
Three Israelis who escaped from the van in which their companion was killed reportedly left the country within 12 hours.
There were also reports of a confrontation between armed New Zealand police and an unaccredited Israeli search and rescue team in the disaster zone.
Mossad agents were caught in 2004 and convicted of identity theft for illegally obtaining New Zealand passports.
Israeli Ambassador to New Zealand Shemi Tzur said he was angry and upset at the suggestions that spies were operating in Christchurch and said he would respond in detail later.
The New Zealand Police said they were confident their computer systems had not been compromised.
