Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says we “need relationships with countries that are like-minded” as work is underway to explore the possibility of joining AUKUS Pillar II.
AUKUS Pillar II is an agreement between member countries to share advanced technology, such as artificial intelligence, hypersonic weapons, and cyber weapons.
Peters told 1News Political Editor Maiki Sherman no decision has been made on AUKUS Pillar II but it would be a possibility worth exploring.
“It would be irresponsible not to find out, particularly when so much of this investigation could be to our massive economic advantage and we need to turn our economy around,” he said.
However, New Zealand would first need to be extended an invitation by the original architects of the arrangement – Australia, the UK, and the US.
The extended interview can be found on the TVNZ+ app now.
When asked if New Zealand should sign up to the technology sharing agreement, Peters said New Zealand is “far too far away from any such decision or discussion”.
But he said the public would be kept informed and consulted on for feedback through a submissions process. “Here’s the most critical point – we would first of all be talking to the public about that,” he said.
AUKUS was originally established in response to China and its rise in power which was viewed by some as a threat to global security.
When asked if he accepted there was a strategy by the US and its allies to contain China, Peters said the questions should be put to the countries involved.
“If you’re asking me about our heightened awareness of geostrategic changes and stresses and strains, yes we are, but our job is to be wide awake and well aware and, at the same time, doing our best to be a peaceful influence in our part of the world.”
Peters pointed to the increasing presence of China in the Pacific as an example of geostrategic changes.
The Blue Pacific Continent, as it’s known, covered almost one-quarter of the world’s surface and was therefore a crucial strategic region.
“Well, if you leave a void in certain parts of the Pacific then other countries are going to fill it,” Peters said.
“Many of the countries who speak for democracy, the rule of law, freedom, and – above all – the right to worship the God of your choice. They have often dropped the ball, so to speak, or been too slow to move.
“That’s not something that New Zealand wants to be regarded as guilty of.”
‘We do not want to be involved in a US fight with China’
Former Labour Prime Minister Helen Clark and former National leader Don Brash have accused the Government of jeopardising New Zealand’s independent foreign policy and risking its economic security with China – the country’s largest trade partner – by pursuing the AUKUS Pillar II process.
“You don’t set out to put major sticks in the eye of your major trading partner,” Clark said.
Brash said the power struggle between the US and China was a classic example of an established power being challenged by a rising power.
“In many cases like that, through history, war has been the result. We have no interest at all in being involved in that conflict,” he said.
“We do not want to be involved in a US fight with China.”
Former Labour Prime Minister Helen Clark and former National leader Don Brash have accused the Government of jeopardising New Zealand’s independent foreign policy. (Source: 1News)
But the coalition Government believed the US and other Western allies were “integral” to New Zealand’s security and prosperity.
During a visit to Washington DC this month, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told the Financial Times that New Zealand was a force multiplier for Australia and the US.
“Australia is our only ally and it makes tremendous sense for us to be aligned with – you know, when we’re looking at future kit that we need to support our defence forces – that it’s actually aligned with Australia,” he said.
Peters said it wasn’t “a matter of balance” between New Zealand’s economic prosperity and its security.
“If you haven’t got security, you won’t have economic prosperity. It’s that simple.”
The Foreign Minister agreed one of the possible consequences of not joining AUKUS Pillar II could be that New Zealand would be left out as Western allies continued to build interoperable capability.
“There are multifaceted consequences if you do something, possibly if you don’t do anything at all but that’s one aspect, yes,” he said.
Asked what other aspects there were in terms of possible consequences, Peters said no country was “an island” any longer.
Peters stressed the importance of building – and maintaining – relationships with countries with similar ideals.
“We’re not isolated and we have to realise that we need relationships with countries that are like-minded who believe in the most difficult flower of history; a thing called democracy, freedom, human rights, equality, and – above all – the right to believe in the God of your choice.”