The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Foreign policy has been missing from NZ's election campaign – voters deserve answers to these big questions

  • Written by Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato

Tax cuts, crime, the cost of living, potholes and co-governance … these and various other issues are now familiar to most voters. But there has been one major election area missing the serious debate it needs: foreign policy.

Whichever parties form the next government, and whoever becomes prime minister, they will also be charged with negotiating New Zealand’s place in a dynamic and changing world.

Military and security alliances, trade, climate change and foreign aid are all presenting significant challenges. So here are some of the questions any incoming administration should be able to answer to the satisfaction of voters.

Defence and security

Having recently deepened military relationships with Australia[1] and Japan[2], New Zealand needs to be clear about whether it will join “pillar two” of the AUKUS security pact between the US, UK and Australia.

Directly related to the AUKUS question are the hard military implications: who or what would New Zealand fight for? Were the US and China to square off over Taiwan, with Australia (New Zealand’s only formal ally[3]) drawn into such a conflict, would New Zealand send military help?

Less speculatively, will New Zealand continue to send naval assets to support exercises aimed at defending freedom of the seas, given the very recent history of Chinese military confrontation[4] in the disputed South China Sea?

The Pacific is also in a state of geopolitical flux. New Zealand has upgraded its military relationship with Fiji[5], and the US has secured[6] “unimpeded access” to strategic ports and airports in Papua New Guinea. But how does New Zealand respond to the “comprehensive partnership[7]” just announced between China and Timor-Leste covering military exchanges, training and exercises?

Read more: Talk of a new Cold War is overheated – but NZ faces complex challenges in the era of ‘strategic competition’[8]

Ukraine and defence budgets

The war in the Ukraine will also demand attention. While New Zealand is not directly involved, it provides military training, financial, legal and humanitarian assistance[9]. Does this continue or ramp up, or does the level of aid depend on what New Zealand’s allies do?

Further to that, what is New Zealand’s official position on what peace would look like for Ukraine? Would New Zealand support a peace deal that involved territory trade-offs or did not include the prosecution of war crimes?

Read more: AUKUS is already trialling autonomous weapons systems – where is NZ's policy on next-generation warfare?[10]

Related to that is the uncertainty over US commitment to supporting Ukraine, given some Republican resistance. New Zealand’s next government will face potentially very unpredictable outcomes from the US presidential election in November 2024. What happens if Donald Trump returns to power?

Many of New Zealand’s key allies (including NATO countries) are spending or aiming to spend 2% of GDP (or more) on their militaries. New Zealand currently only spends about 1.5% of GDP. Ideally, voters would know whether that will increase, by how much, and by when.

More specifically, would any extra spending see the New Zealand Defence Force adopt militarised artificial intelligence technologies?

What is New Zealand’s position on a peace deal in Ukraine? Getty Images

Trade and sanctions

An open, predictable and rules-based global economy can no longer be taken for granted. Regional trade integration has been disrupted, with a shift towards unilateral trade policies and agreements.

What is New Zealand’s response, and will local exporters be encouraged and helped to diversify their markets?

Beyond the simple mantras of negotiating new trade agreements with India or the US, how will that diversification and continued growth be achieved?

Will New Zealand support China’s application[11] to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership – or would it back Taiwan’s[12]?

Will New Zealand continue to support the use of sanctions outside the United Nations’ system (such as those imposed on Russia[13]), and will it consider extending sanctions to countries for grievous human rights abuses (such as those imposed on Iran[14])?

Read more: The 'number 8 wire' days for NZ's defence force are over – new priorities will demand bigger budgets[15]

Climate and foreign aid

Climate change presents extreme challenges domestically and internationally. New Zealand’s overall performance is rated “highly insufficient” by the independent Climate Action Tracker[16]. So what will the next government do at a global level?

Where does New Zealand stand on mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund[17], the world’s largest multilateral fund dedicated to helping developing countries address the climate crisis, and will it increase pledged funding[18] for it?

And will New Zealand continue to believe in and support the Global Methane Pledge[19], a joint US-European Union initiative to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030?

Read more: New Zealand’s strategic priority in the Indo-Pacific is not AUKUS – it's helping to defeat Russia in Ukraine[20]

The UN sets a target for all developed nations to give 0.7% of their gross national income as aid to developing countries, but New Zealand only manages to give 0.23%[21] – well below the OECD average[22]. Will the next government seek to increase or even decrease this? And would it support the creation of a regional development bank or cooperative aid projects with China?

Finally, New Zealand will need to confirm if it will keep taking 1,500 refugees[23] annually.

These are not easy questions. But the New Zealand public should know the answers before they vote – and before the next government positions the country in an increasingly turbulent global order.

References

  1. ^ Australia (www.rnz.co.nz)
  2. ^ Japan (www.beehive.govt.nz)
  3. ^ formal ally (www.dfat.gov.au)
  4. ^ military confrontation (www.stuff.co.nz)
  5. ^ Fiji (www.beehive.govt.nz)
  6. ^ US has secured (worldview.stratfor.com)
  7. ^ comprehensive partnership (english.news.cn)
  8. ^ Talk of a new Cold War is overheated – but NZ faces complex challenges in the era of ‘strategic competition’ (theconversation.com)
  9. ^ assistance (www.beehive.govt.nz)
  10. ^ AUKUS is already trialling autonomous weapons systems – where is NZ's policy on next-generation warfare? (theconversation.com)
  11. ^ China’s application (nz.china-embassy.gov.cn)
  12. ^ Taiwan’s (www.ey.gov.tw)
  13. ^ imposed on Russia (www.legislation.govt.nz)
  14. ^ imposed on Iran (www.beehive.govt.nz)
  15. ^ The 'number 8 wire' days for NZ's defence force are over – new priorities will demand bigger budgets (theconversation.com)
  16. ^ Climate Action Tracker (climateactiontracker.org)
  17. ^ Green Climate Fund (www.greenclimate.fund)
  18. ^ pledged funding (www.greenclimate.fund)
  19. ^ Global Methane Pledge (www.globalmethanepledge.org)
  20. ^ New Zealand’s strategic priority in the Indo-Pacific is not AUKUS – it's helping to defeat Russia in Ukraine (theconversation.com)
  21. ^ 0.23% (www.oecd.org)
  22. ^ OECD average (www.oecd-ilibrary.org)
  23. ^ 1,500 refugees (www.immigration.govt.nz)

Read more https://theconversation.com/foreign-policy-has-been-missing-from-nzs-election-campaign-voters-deserve-answers-to-these-big-questions-214633

Times Magazine

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Science Behind Reverse Osmosis and Why It Matters

What is reverse osmosis? Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that removes contaminants by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane. This membrane allows only water molecules to pass through while blocking impurities such as...

The Times Features

The Role of Your GP in Creating a Chronic Disease Management Plan That Works

Living with a long-term condition, whether that is diabetes, asthma, arthritis or heart disease, means making hundreds of small decisions every day. You plan your diet against m...

Troubleshooting Flickering Lights: A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik Effectively addressing flickering lights in your home is more than just a matter of convenience; it's a pivotal aspect of both home safety and en...

My shins hurt after running. Could it be shin splints?

If you’ve started running for the first time, started again after a break, or your workout is more intense, you might have felt it. A dull, nagging ache down your shins after...

Metal Roof Replacement Cost Per Square Metre in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Australian Homeowners

In recent years, the trend of installing metal roofs has surged across Australia. With their reputation for being both robust and visually appealing, it's easy to understand thei...

Why You’re Always Adjusting Your Bra — and What to Do Instead

Image by freepik It starts with a gentle tug, then a subtle shift, and before you know it, you're adjusting your bra again — in the middle of work, at dinner, even on the couch. I...

How to Tell If Your Eyes Are Working Harder Than They Should Be

Image by freepik Most of us take our vision for granted—until it starts to let us down. Whether it's squinting at your phone, rubbing your eyes at the end of the day, or feeling ...