Forced to balance traditional alliances with its trade-dependent relationship with China, New Zealand walks a fine diplomatic line over Taiwan.
- Professor of Law, University of Waikato
New Zealand was named almost by historical accident, and there have been various versions used in the past. But a complete change would still need greater public support.
With the recent AUKUS agreement increasing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, the time is right for nuclear-free New Zealand to take a lead.
PR exercise, elaborate purchasing agreement or genuine security pact? The new AUKUS agreement raises plenty of questions about why New Zealand missed out.
New Zealand’s second terrorist attack in two years highlights weaknesses in existing counter-terrorism laws. Beyond fast-tracking changes to those laws, two other legal areas need urgent review.
New Zealand continues to pursue an elimination strategy to stamp out community infections with the Delta variant. But it will need incentives and some degree of compulsion to raise vaccination rates.
New Zealand has an ethical obligation to acknowledge its role in creating the crisis in Afghanistan and to increase its refugee intake to save as many as possible.
The Drug and Substance Checking Bill currently moving through parliament marks another milestone in New Zealand’s shift away from criminalisation and towards harm reduction.
With little international law governing state-sponsored cybercrime, the risk of retaliation and even war is growing.
With Britain keen to make post-Brexit deals, New Zealand can expect favourable terms from a trade agreement – anything less will be a failure.
We may never know whether the pandemic began with a leak at the Wuhan lab. But even the possibility shows we need a universal biosafety code to prevent something similar happening in future.
Behind the smiles and the scenic backdrops there are serious issues on the table when Scott Morrison and Jacinda Ardern meet in Queenstown this weekend.
Neither Israel nor Hamas will listen to New Zealand directly, but there is still more parliament can do to promote international peace efforts.
Were he still alive, former prime minister Robert Muldoon might have warned the Labour government about the trouble a wage freeze can get you into.
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue might be the most important security alliance you’ve never heard of – and New Zealand needs to start taking it seriously.
As New Zealand marks the second anniversary of the March 15 atrocity, the general terror threat has increased and doubts persist about police and security agency preparedness.
We should beware of employing public anger or suspicion as a compliance tool, and let the police and courts do their jobs.
Air New Zealand and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade have both potentially breached international human rights agreements. The government must demand answers.
When your ‘friend’ and biggest trading partner is accused of genocide you can’t ignore it. But meaningful change will take more than words.
New Zealand should recognise the high stakes and join the China-Australia WTO hearing as a third party.
Aotearoa New Zealand is falling behind in world heritage sites. Is it time we lobbied for recognition of our unique cultural history?
New Zealand scores well against other countries — especially over its handling of the pandemic — but there are still areas that need improving.
The 800-page report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Christchurch terror attacks ultimately asks New Zealanders to look to themselves to prevent such an atrocity happening again.
With tensions between China and New Zealand’s main security allies increasing dangerously, could Jacinda Ardern play the role of peacemaker?
A Trump election loss would suit NZ’s trade, climate and arms control foreign policies. But there will still be the problem of China.
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