Who cares about parties' foreign policy policies?

"It's hardly surprising that foreign policy isn't a big issue in the New Zealand election, and to some extent it is a relief, but on the other hand it should matter -- mainly because the international environment has not been this febrile, dangerous or uncertain since the Cold War. ...

"NZ is vulnerable, not least because supply lines for everything from mechanical parts to fossil fuels to pharmaceutical, as well as export revenues, are dependent on safe shipping lanes and there being an international environment of peace and relatively open trade in goods and services. ...

"As a small country, NZ's preference traditionally has been for an international order, based on respecting the territorial integrity of nation states, and their sovereignty, to be maintained. That is increasingly difficult ...

"[T]he wider foreign policy concern is that there is just an absence of understanding that the international environment is not favourable to multilateralism anymore. ... 

"The US has decided to abandon Europe's defence ... and to appease Russia ... and to treat personal relationships as a substitute for principle and rule of law. ...  The international trade environment has seen the WTO be gutted by both the Trump Administration, and the likes of China, the EU and India, all of which are responding unilaterally.  

"So where do the political leaders see NZ going in defence? Who knows? 

"How would they respond if China attacked Taiwan? Who knows?

"What's their view on the USA as an ally? Not clear.

"Do they think NZ should contribute more to the collective defence of the South Pacific? Maybe.

"Do they think Israel's right to exist is worth defending loudly? Maybe.

"Do they fully support Ukraine remaining within its internationally recognised boundaries? Probably.

"Do they think that the main meaning of the 'independent foreign policy' is being antagonistic to other liberal democracies, including our allies? Who knows?

"I suspect Hipkins and Luxon don't know or care very much about foreign policy, except (in Labour's case) where it grabs votes from more radical rivals.

"But then given NZ is not directly exposed to the consequences of the breaking world order, not many care either."

~ Liberty Scott from his post 'New Zealand election - a dud on foreign policy'