Small States and International Organisations: New Zealand’s Diversifying International Engagement

Abstract

One of the ways in which small states can exercise power and influence in international affairs is through the multitude of international institutions and organisations that have emerged in the post-World War Two international environment. Volunteering for leadership positions within international organisations has proved on many occasions to be a smart and effective way to increase the global influence of small states. New Zealand has recognised this and has always prioritised working with the United Nations in furthering its own interests and in seeking to contribute towards a peaceful and cooperative international system. The country’s diplomats have had a leading role in the agency on numerous occasions. Most recently, New Zealand served as a rotating member of the United Nations Security Council (2015–2016) and in 2016 former Prime Minister Helen Clark, Director of the UN Development Programme, sought election to the post of UN Secretary General with the support of the New Zealand government. New Zealand’s engagement with the UN has been a bedrock of its foreign policy, even when the security environment has not been conducive to international cooperation. This includes during heightened periods of tension in the Cold War, in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and in more recent years, when a resurgence of geopolitical rivalry between the US, Russia and China has created new international tensions and cleavages in international affairs. The overarching argument of this chapter is that the UN and other international organisations continue to be important forums through which small states like New Zealand can coordinate and seek to influence international affairs. However, New Zealand needs to be smarter in choosing the issues it seeks to advocate on and its priorities should be more closely aligned with the changing security environment.