Democracy Project

Democracy Project is an initiative exploring innovative approaches to politics through the collaboration of academics, civil society, and media. This project is hosted by Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, but it operates with full editorial independence from the university.

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Geoffrey Miller: Christopher Luxon’s important trip to the Middle East

Jan 12, 2025 | democracyproject.nz | Geoffrey Miller

For the first time in a decade, a New Zealand Prime Minister is heading to the Middle East. The trip is more than just a courtesy call. New Zealand PMs frequently change planes in Dubai en route to destinations elsewhere. But Christopher Luxon’s visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this week will be the first time since 2015 that a New Zealand Prime Minister has embarked on a visit to the Middle East itself.
Geoffrey Miller: Trump victory could spark New Zealand rethink at APEC in Peru

Nov 7, 2024 | democracyproject.nz | Geoffrey Miller

Donald Trump’s sweeping election victory has set the stage for this year’s APEC summit in Peru. At least 14 leaders have so far confirmed their attendance at the leaders’ summit in Lima from November 15-16. China’s Xi Jinping, Japan’s new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Canada’s Justin Trudeau will all be in Peru – as will New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s breakthrough free trade deal with the Gulf

Oct 31, 2024 | democracyproject.nz | Geoffrey Miller

New Zealand’s new free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council is a major win for both sides. Todd McClay, New Zealand’s trade minister, announced the long-awaited deal on Thursday with his counterparts in Doha, Qatar. It is a remarkable, yet also surprising sudden success: the genesis of the agreement lies in talks that began in 2006.
Geoffrey Miller: How the US election could affect New Zealand foreign policy

Oct 6, 2024 | democracyproject.nz | Geoffrey Miller

Change is coming to America. Next month’s elections are likely to pave the way for an overhaul of US foreign policy– regardless of whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris wins the presidency. Decisions made in Washington will also have a direct impact on Wellington.
Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s trade deal with the UAE could unlock Middle East

Sep 25, 2024 | democracyproject.nz | Geoffrey Miller

New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are moving closer together – at record pace. Just a year after agreeing to enter initial talks, Wellington and Abu Dhabi have concluded negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (or CEPA for short). The deal will go down as one of New Zealand’s fastest trade negotiations.
Geoffrey Miller: Christopher Luxon’s hawkish foreign policy address in Sydney

Aug 15, 2024 | democracyproject.nz | Geoffrey Miller

New Zealand is not just on the same page, but is now in lockstep with Australia. That was the general theme of keynote foreign policy address by New Zealand’s Prime Minister to a Sydney thinktank on Thursday. Christopher Luxon’s 20-minute speech took a decisively hawkish tone. The Lowy Institute address restated and reiterated recent positioning both from Winston Peters, his foreign minister, and from a similar speech that Luxon had given in Tokyo in June.
Geoffrey Miller: How will New Zealand respond to Middle East escalation?

Aug 1, 2024 | democracyproject.nz | Geoffrey Miller

As tensions in the Middle East rise further, New Zealand’s approach to the region continues to evolve. Neither Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, nor foreign minister Winston Peters were immediately keen to comment publicly about Israel’s assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Geoffrey Miller: China’s message to New Zealand - don’t put it all at risk

Jun 13, 2024 | democracyproject.nz | Geoffrey Miller

Don’t put it all at risk. That’s likely to be the take-home message for New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in his meetings with Li Qiang, the Chinese Premier. Li’s visit to Wellington this week is the highest-ranking visit by a Chinese official since 2017. The trip down under – Li is also visiting Australia – constitutes something of a charm offensive by Beijing. Pandas are on the agenda for Li’s stop in Adelaide.
Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s geopolitical friendly fire has its limits

May 5, 2024 | democracyproject.nz | Geoffrey Miller

The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. Carr had made highly critical comments about Pillar II of the Aukus pact, which New Zealand is contemplating joining, at a conference held by New Zealand’s Labour Party opposition in Wellington in mid-April.
Geoffrey Miller: Aukus or not, New Zealand’s foreign policy is being remade

Apr 7, 2024 | democracyproject.nz | Geoffrey Miller

This could be a watershed week for New Zealand’s international relations. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, is heading to Washington DC for a full week of meetings. The surprisingly lengthy trip just happens to coincide with a major trilateral summit of leaders from the United States, Japan and the Philippines. And a media report at the weekend suggested a wider Aukus ‘Pillar II’ announcement is imminent. The original Aukus partners are Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.