New Zealand foreign policy in an insecure world| Catalyst Kōrero - 12th October

What is New Zealand’s ‘grand strategy’ when it comes to formulating foreign policy? And how might this affect our national security, especially in this febrile geopolitical world? 

University of Otago international security specialist Dr Peter Grace says New Zealand’s International security issues and foreign policy are “inextricably intertwined”.

Security risks are real. Recently, in just one week, national security staff raised questions about the scrapping of dedicated counter-terror roles in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and a far-right NZ soldier pleaded guilty to attempted espionage.

The ‘grand strategy’ encompasses the principles, doctrine and actions that should be the foundation of New Zealand’s foreign policy. Dr Grace says it’s defined as “ideas a state has about how to achieve its security”.

What might be the impacts of this strategy on our national security at a time when International trust is low, and physical and technological borders are so permeable? 

And how can our resultant foreign policy be implemented, considering we are a small state with relatively little power?

“Do our principles come into conflict with our behaviour? And how do we, as a country and people, agree on a foreign policy grand strategy that will translate into tangible policy towards a better, safer world?”

Dr Grace is co-director of the Otago National Security School and lectures at the University of Otago in international security, New Zealand foreign policy and intelligence history.

Sunday, October 12, The Rees Hotel, 6 to 7:30 pm, get your tickets here. Koha to  Amnesty Youth Otago, Amnesty International’s Otago University branch.