Episode 10: New Zealand's Indo-Pacific Recalibration

Given the strong policy focus on the Indo-Pacific by Australia, it may be surprising that New Zealand’s strategic thinking is still in flux. This week, David explains what the push and pull factors have been for New Zealand in looking afresh at what the Indo-Pacific means to the country and how it can balance interests in the wider region with its immediate policy priorities in the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

While New Zealand’s traditional focus in the Asia-Pacific has been on trade and economic relations, it is increasingly starting to think more critically about potential geopolitical and security challenges. For a country limited in resources and geographically a long way from fellow Indo-Pacific countries, creative partnerships will be the way forward to take advantage of the opportunities in the region and address the challenges that lie ahead.

Bridging the Oceans, hosted by Veerle Nouwens, will explore what the Indo-Pacific is, where its limits lie, and what the fast-evolving defence and security issues are in this dynamic part of the world.

Together with a diverse range of experts, the podcast will also analyse today’s top geopolitical questions in the Indo-Pacific, understand how these are seen within the region itself, and consider how these issues may impact countries outside the region, like the United Kingdom.

Episodes will be published bi-weekly and are part of our Navigating the Indo-Pacific programme.