Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says New Zealand should help to avoid polarization between China and the West as he travels to NATO summit in Lithuania

Fresh from a trade mission to China and hours before boarding a flight to Europe, Chris Hipkins has suggested New Zealand can help avoid conflict between global superpowers. 

In a speech hosted by the NZ Institute of International Affairs on Friday, the Prime Minister said the country should continue to “fly the flag for peace” and conflict resolution. 

“In a world rushing to take sides on a range of conflicts it’s essential New Zealand plays a role in avoiding polarisation – it’s what we’re good at and known for,” he said. 

“After all, our greatest foreign policy touchstones are our independence and our nuclear free position. They are what help us open doors, help us to act as honest brokers and ultimately keep us safer.” 

Later today, Hipkins will travel to Brussels to sign a free trade agreement with the European Union and then to Lithuania where he will attend a NATO conference. 

He was in China only last week, where he received a warm welcome and praise from local media for his pragmatic approach to diplomacy.

Friday’s speech discussed New Zealand’s independent foreign policy could play a role in regional security in more dangerous world.

Hipkins said during his six months as Prime Minister he’d seen the “enormous benefits” of independence and the importance of NZ’s close relationships — such as Australia, China, and the United States. 

“I firmly believe that in an increasingly volatile world, shoring-up and strengthening our closest relationships is key to our economic prosperity, enhancing our national security, and promoting domestic harmony”. 

“So, if you came today to hear me set out a radical departure in our foreign policy, I’m sorry to let you down,” he quipped. 

Indo-Pacific

Hipkins praised the United States for its “pivotal” role in establishing and maintaining the system of international rules and norms that New Zealand relies on. 

And he welcomed increased engagement from the US in the Pacific and the “wider Indo-Pacific region”. 

The term Indo-Pacific has become more common in Western countries over the past few years as it views the Quad alliance  — Australia, India, Japan and the United States — as key to containing China’s growth. 

Hipkins said supporting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific was vital for NZ’s security and prosperity. 

“The Indo-Pacific is home not only to many of our most significant export markets, but also increasing strategic competition and tensions — from the South China Sea, to Taiwan,” he said.

Hipkins said China was NZ’s most complicated relationship. 

“They are our largest trading partner, the destination of around a quarter of all our exports and a significant source of tourists and students”. 

It doesn’t share democratic traditions, like other partners such as Australia and the US, but NZ has chosen to maintain open and honest engagement — despite the differences. 

“Reports emerged just before my trip of a robust conversation between our Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and the Chinese Foreign Minister. You might have noticed we didn’t deny that”. 

NZ’s national interest requires continued engagement with China, but its approach has been to promote its values and raise issues in a predictable and respectful way.

“A strong, mature and complex relationship means we will have those tough conversations, just as I also raised areas of disagreement with the Chinese leadership when I was in Beijing”.

Hipkins said it was better to be talking, even if those are difficult conversations, as greater dialogue delivers greater security. 

“Putting up walls and closing doors doesn’t serve us well in the long term and engagement is always preferable to isolation,” he said. 

Defending NZ 

While dialogue is the NZ government's first choice, it is also expanding its defence capabilities like many of its allies in Europe and East Asia. 

The Government will soon release a set of national security policies which will outline how the country will protect its interest in “a more contested and difficult world”.

This will include investing in a combat-capable defence force, tackling disinformation and economic security, supporting the security capacity of Pacific nations, and strengthening the global system of rules and norms.