He kōrero nā Michael Green

Te āhua nui: Ambassador to the US George Laking gives New Zealand lamb to US Vice-President Hubert Humphrey, 1966

Foreign policy refers to the way governments pursue national interests by working with other countries and international organisations. Objectives include:

• security against external threats
• improving trade opportunities
• developing international rules and standards.

Origins of New Zealand foreign policy

Before the Second World War, New Zealand had only one major overseas post, in London. A Department of External Affairs was set up in 1919, but this focused on territories in the Pacific.

In 1920 New Zealand became a founding member of the League of Nations.

Second World War

New Zealand sought closer relations with the USA, and also established diplomatic posts in Canada, Australia and the Soviet Union. In 1943 an External Affairs Department with a broader focus on relations with other countries was set up.

Diplomacy, 1945–1960

In 1945 New Zealand was actively involved in setting up the United Nations. Over time, diplomatic missions were set up in more countries.

From 1950 New Zealand was part of the Colombo Plan, which assisted developing countries.

New alliances

In 1951 New Zealand, Australia and the US signed the ANZUS defence treaty. In 1954 New Zealand joined the South East Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO), which aimed to strengthen security in the region. Diplomatic posts were established in Asian countries.

Trade changes

Britain took most New Zealand exports, but this was threatened when it joined the European Economic Community (now the European Union). New Zealand worked to protect its access to British markets, and to find new markets.

Pacific islands

New Zealand administered Western Samoa (which became independent in 1962), Cook Islands and Niue (which both became self-governing in association with New Zealand), and Tokelau.

Public involvement

In the 1960s and 1970s the public became more interested in foreign policy, due to the Vietnam War, sporting ties with South Africa and French nuclear testing in the Pacific.

Multilateral organisations

New Zealand is active in multilateral organisations (those that involve a number of countries), such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. These negotiate norms and rules on issues such as trade, human rights, the environment and arms control.

Diplomatic service

The Ministry of External Relations and Trade was set up in 1988, and became the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 1993. In 2020 New Zealand had diplomatic relations with around 150 countries.