New Zealand Institute of International Affairs - NZIIA - National Office

30/07/2026

New Zealand and India relations are entering a new phase as the partnership deepens. Implementation of the free trade agreement will be critical.

Check out an opinion piece by Anna Mahjar-Barducci on our website - https://www.nziia.org.nz/articles/india-and-new-zealand-turn-a-trade-deal-into-a-strategic-partnership/

The Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono is New Zealand's leading authority on Asia. We provide experiences and resources to help New Zealanders build their knowledge, skills and confidence to excel in Asia.

30/07/2026

This is a worthwhile read for those keen followers of multilateral trade arrangements. It poses some points important for New Zealand as a strong supporter of the World Trade Organization and argues in favour of the value of the CPTPP.

With Washington and Beijing both bending and breaking existing rules, the CPTPP is the best bet for a like-minded coalition.

28/07/2026

We are gearing up for our pre-election debates on aid, trade and foreign affairs. Stay connected for confirmation later this week of the Wellington date and how to get tickets.

This will be your chance to ask representatives of the major political parties your burning questions on how Aotearoa New Zealand engages with the world.

What would be your question? What themes would you like to see covered?

NZIIA Wellington Branch - New Zealand Institute of International Affairs

28/06/2026

Amid geopolitical tensions and a warming planet, Europe and the Indo-Pacific are increasingly connected — and facing our shared challenges together. 🇪🇺🌏

In November, 70 delegations from across Europe and the Indo-Pacific met in Brussels for the 4th EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum, chaired by HRVP Kaja Kallas. One message stood out: we are stronger together and security, resilience and prosperity are inseparable.

Working closely with the Pacific Islands Forum, and natural partners like New Zealand, the forum reaffirmed our commitment to deeper strategic engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

🔹 Strengthening security & defence to keep the Pacific stable, secure and safe.
💼 Growing economic resilience — the EU-NZ FTA has added $2 Billion in NZ exports, and the EU-CPTPP Investment Dialogue further opens up the world to free trade.
🚀 Powering innovation through Horizon Europe — collaborating with leading scientists in climate, food, aerospace and clean energy to grow our economies, and addressing the priorities that matter most to Indo-Pacific partners.
🌊 Backing Pacific-led sustainability via the Global Gateway investment programme, protecting our vulnerable communities from Climate Change.

To read a summary of the Forum on the NZIIA website, click here 👉 https://www.nziia.org.nz/articles/security-shared-prosperity-and-sustainability-atop-the-agenda-at-the-fourth-indopacific-ministerial-forum/



(Image by Gaby Stein from Pixabay)

28/06/2026

NZIIA Auckland Branch and Europe Institute hosted a fascinating event on Tuesday 23 June 2026 with Hanna Shelest from Ukrainian Prism and Malcolm Jorgensen of the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law.

Hannah explained why the scale of the breach of international law in the Russia-Ukraine war matters and why we should continue to pay attention to the conflict in the largest country located entirely in Europe.

Do check out another article on this point recently posted on our website at https://www.nziia.org.nz/articles/the-world-has-stopped/ by Iryna Skubii.

Malcolm argued that we can't just abandon international law because of double standards and weak implementation. We need to keep revealing and unpacking the power dynamics that underpin the actions and positions of countries. It was great to see his evolving thinking on this as part of the presentation and we're looking forward to his next publications on this critical topic.

We've no doubt the lively engagement continued between these two excellent speakers and others at the University of Otago Foreign Policy School over the weekend.

25/06/2026

On Friday 19 June, the NZIIA Wellington Branch was honoured to host the Foreign Affairs Minister of Costa Rica, HE Manuel Tovar Rivera for a keynote address, fireside chat and Costa Rican themed networking reception.

On the first visit ever by a Foreign Minister of Costa Rica to Aotearoa New Zealand, the minister spoke of “Costa Rica's Global Vision: Sustainability, Innovation & New Opportunities”. He outlined Costa Rica’s recent trade successes and talked of opportunities to grow the collaboration between our two countries, especially since we share many similarities. There were some great questions from the audience followed by a Costa Rican Kiwi themed networking reception where members and guests were able to chat to the Foreign Minister and practice some Spanish! We look forward to further strengthening of Costa Rica- New Zealand relations in the years ahead

Ministro, muchas gracias por hablar con nosotros y visitar Nueva Zelanda!

22/06/2026

Only by fostering a deeper sense of ‘space citizenship’ will everyone benefit from our journeys to the Moon – and beyond.

👉 Read the full story: https://theconversation.com/todays-space-race-could-turn-fatal-if-we-dont-agree-on-new-rules-283469

💬 Comment "newsletter" and we'll send you the link to sign up for our free wrap of the latest insight and analysis.

21/06/2026

It is a busy week for those following international relations issues in Aotearoa New Zealand.

NZIIA Auckland Branch will be hosting Hanna Shelest and Malcolm Jorgensen with Europe Institute at University of Auckland on Tuesday 23 June to discuss 'The Battle for the International Order - Lessons from Ukraine and Beyond' - https://www.nziia.org.nz/events/the-battle-for-the-international-order-lessons-from-ukraine-and-beyond/

We are looking forward to engaging with Dave Stilwell at a small roundtable hosted by Melissa Sweeney on the role of the US security partnership with New Zealand in the Pacific.

Our friends at Asia New Zealand Foundation will be sharing their latest Perceptions of Asia survey results with Aucklanders on Tuesday 23 June. You can read the report here - https://www.asianz.org.nz/new-zealanders-perceptions-of-asia-2026

The 12th China Business Summit on Thursday 25 June will put the spotlight firmly on one of our most important partnerships in Asia.

On Friday 26 June we are excited to host Soo-Jin Rhee UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency Representative with Public Policy Institute Auckland and The Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies (CAPRS) - Tāwharau Whakaumu at University of Auckland. With Madiha Ali and Yvonne Underhill-Sem we will explore some of the key successes of the Refugee Convention and subsequent Protocols as well as the contemporary challenges and limitations of this regime. You can still register to join us for this event here - https://www.nziia.org.nz/events/the-global-refugee-regime-75-years-on/

Continuing the conversation over the weekend will be our colleagues Dr Robert Patman and Dr Geoffrey Miller from the University of Otago, which is hosting the 60th Otago Foreign Policy School in Dunedin - https://www.otago.ac.nz/foreign-policy-school

And of course we hope to catch the All Whites in action again against Egypt and Belgium at the FIFA World Cup 2026!

Information about this year's Otago Foreign Policy School and National Security School. The Schools are usually held every year.

21/06/2026

High Commissioner had the pleasure to meet Hon Todd McClay MP who focused much of his address at NZIIA on the recently concluded India-New Zealand FTA.
PMO India
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
Wellington Indian Association Inc.
Indian Community in Southland -ICS
Mahatma Gandhi Centre/Auckland Indian Association
Indian Newslink
Vitasta NZ
U.P. Tourism and Business Advisory Board-NZ
GOPIO Wellington Chapter Inc
IndianNz Association of Christchurch Inc.
Namaste Bharat Kiwi Times
India New Zealand Business Council
Indian Association Manukau New Zealand
New Zealand Indian Central Association
The Indian News NZ
Bihar Jharkhand Association of New Zealand
New Zealand Bharat Chamber of Commerce and Industry
भारत-दर्शन :: इंटरनेट पर विश्व की सबसे पहली हिंदी साहित्यिक पत्रिका
Devbhoomi Charitable Trust NZ
Bank of Baroda New Zealand Ltd
Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust
Bihar Jharkhand Sabha of Australia and New Zealand
Southland Hindi School
Indian Council For Cultural Relations
WebfitNews
Muanpuii Saiawi
Gayatri Pariwar Wellington - New Zealand
Wellington Punjabi Women Association Inc

20/06/2026

As New Zealand Volunteers Week comes to an end, we want to thank all the incredible members of our branch committees for everything they do for the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs.

Our volunteers are truly the lifeblood of the organisation. They give their time and energy so that we can deliver the wide range of events and activities that define NZIIA. Much of what they do goes unseen but without it we would not be able to continue to actively engage across Aotearoa on important foreign policy issues.

The willingness of our branch chairs, students and other volunteers to step up makes all the difference. We simply could not do this without you.

NZIIA Wellington Branch - New Zealand Institute of International Affairs