An expert panel discussion on the global rise of autocracies, effects on New Zealand and how citizens and societies can respond. Organised by the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs (NZIIA) in collaboration with the Global Studies Programme at the University of Auckland. Featuring contributions by: Associate Professor Chris OgdenAssociate Professor Timothy KuhnerAssociate Professor Maria ArmoudianProfessor Jennifer CurtinSupport the show

This conversation occurred at the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs flagship conference in Wellington on June 2025. Climate change is one of the gravest threats to New Zealand’s security and prosperity, and ultimately our wellbeing. The New Zealand Government has three priorities in addressing this challenge, including climate diplomacy and international negotiations, supporting climate action and resilience in the Pacific region, and supporting a domestic transition at home.&nbs...

This discussion occurred at the NZIIA flagship conference in Wellington in June 2025. The return of US President Donald Trump to the White House has created tumultuous news on a daily basis. The Administration’s approach to Ukraine, the Middle East, international trade, competition with China and reform of US Government institutions are creating shockwaves, and may have very long-lasting effects on the international system. The ‘reckons’ on where US foreign and trade policy are heading are ev...

This discussion occurred at the NZIIA flagship conference in Wellington in June 2025. The New Zealand Government has unveiled a ‘Going for Growth’ strategy to enable economic growth, deliver more jobs and grow incomes. Central to the strategy are efforts to double exports by value in 10 years and increase foreign investment. Yet many nations are placing lesser priority on open economic relations with countries like New Zealand, as the world becomes more securitised, fragmented and unsta...

This discussion occurred at the NZIIA Conference in Wellington in June 2025. For decades, New Zealand’s approach to international relations has been driven by a pursuit of multilateralism, collective security and free trade. Since the end of the Cold War, this has been enabled to some extent by the pre-eminence of US power. However, the international order and the institutions underpinning it, are changing. The rise of China and other Asian powers is altering international affairs in pr...

At the NZIIA Annual Lecture 2025 on 6 May, held at the National Library of New Zealand, Hon Judith Collins KC, New Zealand Minister of Defence discussed the importance of New Zealand’s Defence Capability Plan announced on 7 April. The plan outlines investments to enhance the New Zealand Defence Force over the next 15 years, with a focus on the critical investments needed in the next four years. The Minister is introduced by Dr James Kember, Chair of NZIIA. Support the show

NZIIA event in Auckland New Zealand on 17 December 2024. Industrial policy, including import substitution, has long been criticised by economists for excessive protectionism, which often led to inefficient and uncompetitive firms and stifled export growth. But pressures for protectionism in wealthy countries are growing, and developed countries themselves are now aggressively pursuing industrial policy as part of new economic statecraft. Will this new tilt to industrial policy wo...

On 14 November 2024 NZIIA's National Office hosted an expert panel discussion on how geostrategic competition is affecting the Pacific region and how New Zealand, Pacific countries and regional institutions can respond to this. The discussion included suggestions on how Aotearoa New Zealand can better engage with the Pacific. The event features a summary of the report’s findings from Guy Fiti Sinclair and a moderated discussion with some of the foremost experts in international politics in t...

Hosted by the Australian Institute of International Affairs and the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs on 5 December 2024. It is difficult to think of two countries more closely aligned than Australia and New Zealand. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade describes the neighbours as 'natural allies with a strong trans-Tasman sense of family' and New Zealand's Ministry of Defence says that New Zealand has 'no better friend and no closer ally'. But the perceive...

NZIIA Event held in Wellington on 7 August 2024. In essence, Australia’s commitment to AUKUS is a vote to help preserve Asia’s US-led unipolar strategic order. But what are the alternatives? What kinds of new regional order might emerge to take the old order’s place if it cannot be preserved? And how would we fare in them? Professor Hugh White’s presentation explores these questions, looking at the global context as shaped by the war in Ukraine and the alignment between Ch...