The Ardern Government’s Foreign Policy Challenges

Abstract

With pressures growing on international rules, Jacinda Ardern’s new government faces extra challenges in shaping a principled New Zealand foreign policy based on the consistent assertion of values. Many of these external challenges are being felt in Asia. Even if force can be avoided on the Korean peninsula, escalating tariff competition between the United States and China may signal deep challenges for the rules of the road that suit New Zealand. As the wider storm clouds grow, the Ardern government’s focus on the South Pacific in cooperation with Australia offers some respite. But the Labour–New Zealand First coalition may complicate the delivery of predictable and creditable foreign policy stances.