Time for New Zealand to step up

China’s disparaging attack on New Zealand following Jacinda Ardern’s White House meeting with Joe Biden should not deter Wellington from playing a full part in confronting the security challenge being mounted by Beijing in the South Pacific. Chinese indignation, led by “wolf warrior” foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, was inevitable after the joint statement by Mr Biden and Ms Ardern. In it, they warned that a Chinese military base in the Pacific “by a state that does not share our values or security interests would fundamentally alter the strategic balance of the region and pose national security concerns to both our countries”. The statement also noted the shared concerns of the US and New Zealand about China’s menacing of Taiwan, human rights abuses against the Uighurs in Xinjiang, and oppression in Hong Kong.

In a hostile dressing down, Mr Zhao heaped abuse on New Zealand and the US, warning Wellington to “adhere to its independent foreign policy”. Beijing’s ambassador to New Zealand, Wang Xiaolong, also joined in, warning his host country that it should not “take for granted” its relationship with Beijing. Mr Wang pointedly noted that the perception in China of New Zealand as a “green, clean, open and friendly country” was a potent marketing tool for the country’s exports and a pillar of the bilateral relationship. The implicit threat was clear. New Zealand’s exports to China, worth $NZ20bn ($18bn) annually, could be targeted for retaliation in the same way Beijing targeted Australia’s exports over Scott Morrison’s call for a full inquiry into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, and continues to do so.

Ms Ardern’s government has a patchy record of taking contradictory positions in dealing with China and in playing what should be its part in meeting the Chinese challenge in the Pacific. It now must be clear-eyed and resolute in rejecting coercive Chinese threats. The joint statement with the Biden administration also must signal an overdue end to Wellington’s inaction in the South Pacific in helping persuade small island states that it is not in their interests to fall for Beijing’s self-serving lucrative economic and security blandishments.

Like Australia, New Zealand has an enormous stake in its trading relationship with China. But Kiwi smugness exemplified by Trade Minister Damien O’Connor’s fatuous statement in January last year when he advised Australia to “follow us and show respect” to China was always naive and misplaced. Sooner or later the Chinese Communist Party hotheads in Beijing were always going to turn their sights on Wellington. As Ms Ardern’s meeting with Mr Biden showed, her government now has recognised the threat China poses in the Pacific region. But more than just a joint statement with the US President is needed to show they mean business. The Ardern government has a lot of ground to make up.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta’s public criticism of the vital Five Eyes intelligence sharing group in April last year, when she said she was uncomfortable with its “expanding remit” and would not sign up to future joint statements critical of China, still rankles with the other partners – Australia, the US, Canada and Britain. So does New Zealand’s perplexing inaction in doing anything much to help persuade island nations in the region, notably Solomon Islands, to resist Beijing’s dubious largesse. Ms Mahuta has had to fend off criticism by former foreign ministers and diplomats over the stances she has taken.

Her predecessor, Winston Peters, tweeted last week: “Mahuta’s incompetence has let this happen right under our noses.” She appears unabashed. On Friday, she responded to criticism of her performance by insisting that New Zealand was “not defined by China” and did not need to react to events “in a way that makes us look desperate”.

Perceptions remain that New Zealand has let the side down in dealing with the Chinese drive into the Pacific. It has much to learn from Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who has been on her second trip to meet Pacific leaders since taking office. New Zealand should be doing more in its own interests. It is not a member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or AUKUS, but it is part of the Five Eyes. The history of the ANZUS alliance, and China’s threat to its exports, should leave it in no doubt about the importance of playing its part in safeguarding the region’s security.