Is Luxon's US-leaning foreign policy approach a risky move?

This is a transcript from Will’s Word on Wednesday, 17th of July.

It’s pretty rare for figures like Helen Clark and Don Brash, who are usually on opposite sides politically, to agree. But their recent joint statement criticising Prime Minister Christopher Luxon shows how serious the situation is when it comes to New Zealand’s foreign policy.

Just a month after hosting the Chinese Premier and with no major changes in foreign policy signalled during recent elections, the Prime Minister's remarks have raised concerns. He talked about New Zealand's defence assets helping allies like Australia and the US, plans for military missions in the Philippines, and interest in joining initiatives like AUKUS. These statements suggest New Zealand might be moving away from its usual stance of staying neutral and independent in global affairs.

Clark and Brash are worried about what this means for New Zealand. They're concerned that getting closer to Western allies could pull New Zealand into the rivalry between the US and China, especially in areas like the Pacific. Their concern isn't just about China's alleged spying—it's about whether New Zealand might end up as a pawn in a bigger global power struggle.

As the country leans more towards Western security interests, it could strain relationships in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

Balancing its ties with China's economy and the US's security demands has always been tricky for New Zealand, but you couldn’t argue with the fact that it’s ever been so tricky.