As in previous General Elections, the New Zealand Peace Foundation has again surveyed current party polices on foreign
relations and disarmament. Speaking for the Foundation's International Affairs and Disarmament Committee, Convenor
Richard Northey says that this year's offerings are at best mixed.
Judged the most comprehensive was that offered by the Green Party. The international components of its climate change
policy were assessed as informed and constructive as were its policies on Defence, Peacekeeping, Human Rights, Trade and
Investment, Development Assistance, Non-violence and the Rule of Law.
The Labour Party was noted as being committed to work 'constructively within the global community to find solutions to
problems that transcend borders from climate change to the Christchurch Call.' Also emphasised were policies designed to
foster trade liberalisation and expansion, increased development assistance, particularly to the Pacific, international
human rights and enhanced global cooperation in dealing with COVID-19. Continued support for dealerting of nuclear
weapons, a Nuclear Weapons Convention and further ratifications to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was
also listed.
For New Zealand First 'the Pacific Reset under a New Zealand First Government will continue to be our country’s top
foreign policy priority where we will build deeper partnerships with Pacific countries, reflecting New Zealand’s greater
strategic ambition in the region.' It further committed to negotiating free trade agreements, including with the
European Union, and helping exporters succeed in offshore markets. Here it is committed to defending the multilateral
trading system, provide international commitment and support on climate change, and advocate strongly for progress on
international disarmament and non-proliferation while addressing global security concerns.
ACT aims to maintain and strengthen traditional alliances, such as Five Eyes and the Commonwealth; 'lead the world' with
our relationships in Asia; emphasise 'our role as a leading country' in the South Pacific; support bilateral and
multilateral free trade agreements by pursuing a free trade and free movement area between Canada, Australia, New
Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
Disappointing, said Mr Northey, was the lack of foreign and disarmament policy proposed by the National Party. While
COVID -19 and the economy are understandable domestic preoccupations, like climate change and migration they are issues
with major foreign policy dimensions. Assumptions that National's existing policies, such as a nuclear free and trade
liberalising New Zealand, ignore the need to re-state them and advance fresh initiatives Mr Northey added.