95bFM Aotearoa joining AUKUS would be ‘pointless’ amid global tensions caused by the US
9 March 2025
Interviewed by Caeden Tipler, adapted by Yesenia Pineda
Director at the Centre of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Otago, Professor Richard Jackson, says, “the US has now positioned itself in such a way that it's no longer a reliable ally,” and recommends New Zealand reconsiders joining AUKUS. Image: US President, Donald Trump (2016) - Wikimedia Commons
With the Trump Administration in full swing, many are concerned that the United States has been launched into a new cycle of unstable foreign policy decisions that will have global ramifications.
This includes removing many policies established as far back as in the post-cold-war period, such as the National Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), to collect security against the Soviet Union.
By reducing policies like NATO, cutting up to 90% of USAID foreign contracts, and pausing military aid to Ukraine, overseas nations are concerned about the geopolitical tensions caused by these developments.
In Aotearoa, there are also concerns about what joining AUKUS may mean when US diplomatic relationships with countries such as Ukraine and China are swiftly changing.
This follows New Zealand considering joining AUKUS; a trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Director at the Centre of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Otago, Professor Richard Jackson, told 95bFM’s The Wire that Aotearoa joining AUKUS would be “pointless” and a “fraught exercise” in light of the recent geopolitical developments by the US.
“The U.S. has now positioned itself in such a way that it's no longer a reliable ally [internationally].”
“New Zealand is now in a very tricky situation of trying to navigate a new and emerging international order, one in which things that we relied upon in the past no longer seem solid.”
Jackson believes Aotearoa will not be guaranteed US protection under this pact.
“If the United States is willing to throw Ukraine under the bus, there's no chance at all the United States would protect and support New Zealand.”
As well as this, Jackson believes Aotearoa will be siding against China if the country joins AUKUS, especially at a time when our diplomatic relations are strong.
“If the United States and New Zealand are openly challenging China, we could see many more incidents like recently where China sent ships into our region to conduct live-fire exercises."
“[China] would do [more provocative actions] in an attempt to try and extend their influence across the Pacific.”
Jackson recommends New Zealand protect and maintain the norms of stable international order rather than aligning with the US.
“[International order] protects small states from being bullied and pushed around and predated by large states.”
He also recommends focusing on our regional security, especially as a Pacific nation.
“If we were to focus our efforts on creating security or focus on trying to deal with security threats through collective action in the Pacific, I think that would be a stronger guarantee of our security.”
