Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand's inclusion by the US into a military-industrial base framework does not impact on the country's foreign policy.
The United States unilaterally added New Zealand 18 months ago, under a military trade law that served to advance US national security objectives, and ensure there were no unintended barriers to multilateral cooperation.
The government here was not involved in the US National Technology and Industrial Base (NTIB) move, which has only just come to light.
The Green Party was not aware of it till RNZ reported it; in a parliamentary written question, it asked Winston Peters if deeper integration into US frameworks posed any risks.
"There are no risks to mitigate from participation in the NTIB, which is a discussion forum addressing defence supply chain challenges such as those caused by the war in Ukraine and the global pandemic," Peters responded.
The NTIB was first expanded beyond Canada several years ago to include Australia and the UK; the move to add New Zealand coincided with concerted US attempts to involve its allies in pushing back on China. It preceded current debates about New Zealand and other partner countries joining AUKUS Pillar Two.
Greens foreign affairs spokesperson Teanau Tuiono asked Peters how the NTIB inclusion might impact on maintaining a "balanced approach" to US-China relations.
"New Zealand's inclusion in the NTIB was a US decision and does not impact New Zealand's foreign policy," Peters replied.
He had received no written advice about it.
The inclusion in NTIB "discussions" reflected the long-standing security relationships with close partners, the minister said.
"New Zealand makes our own decisions freely, consistent with our assessments of New Zealand's vital national interests."
As for any concerns or opportunities around being included, that was a question for the Ministry of Defence, he said.