New Zealand's foreign policy in the 1990s: in the national tradition?

Abstract

New Zealand's foreign policy in the 1990s was conducted by National Party-dominated governments, and displayed most of the characteristic features of National government foreign policy. National governments have always sought close relationships with the country's traditional allies, whereas Labour governments have emphasized independence from them. The governments of the 1990s strove particularly to restore good relations with the United States, which were soured by the previous Labour government. National governments have also been traditionally more pragmatic and less moralistic than Labour governments in their approach to countries with dubious human rights records. In the 1990s, the New Zealand government continued this approach, labelled ‘Quiet Diplomacy’, with respect to several Asian countries. Although National governments have tended to be less internationalist than Labour ones, the governments of the 1990s were particularly active in contributing to United Nations peace-keeping operations. Partly, however, this was to restore New Zealand's reputation with its allies. Foreign policy in the 1990s was influenced more than previously by public opinion and by the weak political position of the government, which forced modifications to traditional National goals.