National Sovereignty Safeguards Freedom
Over the past eight months, the Government has taken decisive foreign policy actions that have significantly strengthened New Zealand's security ties with like-minded partners across our region.
In an increasingly unstable geostrategic environment, with growing foreign interference threats and mounting kinetic military threats, the preservation of our national security is at risk.
Our individual rights and civil liberties in New Zealand rely on the strength of our national sovereignty, security, and a resilient democracy.
Twelve recent announcements from the Government highlight a commendable trend:
21 August 2026 - NZ and Thailand launch Strategic Partnership
13 August 2026 - NZ and Viet Nam strengthen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
22 July 2026 - NZ and PNG strengthen Defence ties
21 July 2026 - NZ and Philippines form Comprehensive Partnership
18 July 2026 - World First NZ-Singapore Essential Supplies Agreement
16 July 2026 - NZ renews partnership with Fiji
11 July 2026 - NZ-India relationship elevated to Strategic Partnership
9 July 2026 - NZ to explore joining Fiji-Australia defence alliance
2 April 2026 - NZ and Cook Islands sign Defence & Security Declaration
26 March 2026 - NZ and Tuvalu reaffirm strong partnership
2 March 2026 - Australia–NZ Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations 2+2
19 January 2026 - New Zealand and Kiribati enhance partnership
29 December 2025 - NZ-Japan signs defence and security agreements
Announced just yesterday!
PILLAR has long been calling for policies which realise this fundamental reality: our individual rights and freedoms will not remain for long if we cannot protect our sovereign lands from external threats.
With conflict continuing to pour out in Europe and the Middle East, tensions unrelenting in the Pacific, the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, it is critically important for New Zealand to prepare shrewdly and realistically.
As a stable liberal democracy, New Zealand has both an interest and a responsibility to stand alongside our Pacific neighbours in protecting the rules-based order that has underpinned decades of peace and prosperity grounded in the rule of law and democratic norms domestically.
By strengthening our partnerships, we are sending a strong signal that we remain committed to a secure, resilient, and freePacific. These policies will enable us to increasingly isolate the CCPs bullying and coercion in our region and nation.
PILLAR will continue advocating for the further realisation of these measures. The adoption of our Foreign Influence Transparency Bill is just one small step in protecting our country from external threat.
Ultimately, we have a choice: to become another pawn in the schemes of authoritarian powers, or to stand as a sovereign and independent nation—a bulwark for liberty and democracy, for ourselves and for our neighbours.
To date, our government has commendably chosen the better path.
