September 17th, 2024
Addressing the annual lecture hosted by the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs at Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters, presented a comprehensive view of the foreign policy landscape, detailing the significant challenges and emerging opportunities that New Zealand faces in a rapidly changing global environment.
Reflecting on the geopolitical dynamics, Peters remarked on the seismic shifts from past decades: “The world was becoming more open, more democratic, and more free. But these foundations, which underpinned New Zealand’s foreign, trade, and economic policies in decades past, have seismically shifted in the first quarter of the 21st Century."
Challenges: Navigating a fractious global environment
Peters underscored the deterioration in global democracy and the rise of restrictive market barriers as key concerns. He described the current global crises, particularly focusing on the conflict in Ukraine and the situation in Gaza.
"Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine casts a pall over Europe, causing death, destruction and misery, and food and energy insecurity,” Peters declared, highlighting the assault on the rules-based order.
Discussing the Gaza crisis, Peters highlighted the complex international efforts required to manage the situation.
“The utter catastrophe that has unfolded in Gaza, a misery caused by both Hamas’ monstrous terrorist attacks on 7 October and the now overwhelming nature of Israel’s response, demands urgent international attention and action," he said.
"We remain deeply concerned that miscalculation by either Israel or Iran could widen the conflict and divert the world’s gaze from where it most needs to be: the urgent need for a permanent ceasefire, release of hostages, and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza."
Opportunities: A proactive foreign policy reset
Peters introduced a forward-looking agenda aimed at reinvigorating New Zealand’s foreign policy through strategic realignment and active diplomacy.
"After three years of foreign policy incoherence and concerted drift under Labour, our Cabinet endorsed early in its term a foreign policy reset that would reinvigorate and focus our foreign, defence, and trade policy agendas,” he said.
This reset includes a significant increase in engagement with Southeast Asia and India, bolstering relationships with traditional partners, and enhancing multilateral engagement to address global issues effectively.
AUKUS Pillar 2: A measured approach
Turning to the debate around New Zealand’s potential involvement in AUKUS Pillar 2, Peters provided clarity on the government's stance.
"It would be utterly irresponsible for any government of any stripe to not consider whether collaborating with like-minded partners on advances in technology is in our national interest,” he said, advocating for a well-informed approach to international partnerships.
A commitment to robust diplomacy
Peters also reiterated the need for an active, coherent foreign policy to navigate the complexities of the global stage. He stressed the importance of New Zealand's voice in international affairs, emphasising that diplomacy, engagement, and strategic adaptation are crucial.