Security rethink is needed in NZ

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins deserves a warm welcome when he visits Australia on Tuesday, when he has an opportunity to put the focus of trans-Tasman relations beyond what we should do about Kiwi criminals who overstay their welcome. Mr Hipkins’ domestic priority is to put the NZ Labour Party back in the hunt for the October election after straying too far to the left under Jacinda Ardern, who made a big impression overseas but did not live up to expectations at home.

As elsewhere, the economic challenge in New Zealand stems from high inflation and interest rates but it is exacerbated by the damage done by Ms Ardern’s isolationist approach to dealing with Covid-19. A less diversified economy than Australia’s, New Zealand is overly dependent on its trading relationship with China, something that could become more problematic across time.

Internationally, New Zealand’s focus must be on how it can work with allies such as Australia, Britain and the US to progress the interests of peace and security in our region. As with Australia, New Zealand enjoys a special relationship with Pacific Island nations that have become the focus of increasing strategic competition from China in recent years. The Albanese government can expect to work cooperatively with New Zealand as we strengthen our Pacific engagement and diplomacy.

On the issue of security, Mr Hipkins must work to repair the perception of weakness left by Ms Ardern. As noted by The Times newspaper in Britain following Ms Ardern’s retirement, on her watch the Chinese Communist Party weakened New Zealand’s security and its position in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing framework.

Anthony Albanese has moved to defuse lingering resentments regarding the deportation of New Zealand citizens who commit crimes in Australia. Ms Ardern blamed Australia for worsening her country’s gang violence problems, something that only confirms the merits of deporting offenders. Nonetheless, the Albanese government has agreed to consider how long a person has been in Australia before cancelling their visa and deporting them. The Prime Minister says the measure is common sense and won’t threaten national security. We retain the right to deport non-citizens, conscious that there is little public sympathy for criminals who may be tempted to reoffend.

Mr Hipkins has welcomed the softening of Australia’s position as a good first step. The New Zealand Prime Minister should move on from the concerns of criminals and focus instead on rebuilding his nation’s economic prosperity and engaging in the issues of substance we share in common, with security at the top of the list.