New Zealand election: parties should outline foreign policy goals ranging from China, Aukus to trade
- New Zealand’s parties campaigning in the October 14 general election have so far sidestepped foreign policy issues
- The parties should inform voters of their stance on these issues amid a turbulent global order
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.
So here are some of the questions any incoming administration should be able to answer to the satisfaction of voters ahead of the election on October 14.
How will New Zealand’s economic slump play out for jobs — and the election?
Defence and security
Ukraine and defence budgets
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 per cent of GDP (or more) on their militaries. New Zealand currently only spends about 1.5 per cent 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?
Supporting Ukraine can help New Zealand counter Chinese clout in Indo-Pacific
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?
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. So what will the next government do at a global level?
Where does New Zealand stand on mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund, the world’s largest multilateral fund dedicated to helping developing countries address the climate crisis, and will it increase pledged funding for it?
And will New Zealand continue to believe in and support the Global Methane Pledge, a joint US-European Union initiative to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30 per cent from 2020 levels by 2030?
The UN sets a target for all developed nations to give 0.7 per cent of their gross national income as aid to developing countries, but New Zealand only manages to give 0.23 per cent. 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 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.