Asia’s maritime order and New Zealand’s response

As th e powers jostle in a more competitive Asia-Pacific region, it may seem counter-intuitive to call for a clearer New Zealand position on the South China Sea disputes. But even as regional tensions grow, Wellington can stick up for its principles without joining a chorus of China criticism. Under the Key government, New Zealand’s alignment with the United States is becoming more pronounced through a series of small but cumulatively important steps. This makes it even more important for New Zealand’s policy to be staked out clearly, including in written form accessible to the public discussion.