Graham Hassall - A Seat at the Table: New Zealand and the United Nations Security Council 2015–2016

First published in 2020 by Massey University Press

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Auckland 0745, New Zealand

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ISBN: 978-0-9951135-1-0

eISBN: 978-0-9951354-9-9

Winston Peters, as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, addresses the United Nations General Assembly, New York, 2006. UN, 126498

New Zealand has a long and proud history of playing a serious role on the world stage, including at the United Nations. In doing so, we help to protect our democratic values and enhance our nations security.

Continuity and bipartisanship continue to be hallmarks of New Zealands foreign policy. A foreign policy that has always been driven by a clear-eyed assessment of New Zealand interests and embedded in our national values. These include the importance of equality and fairness, the rule of law, democracy, and the protection and promotion of human rights.

We recognise that achieving solutions that advance our interests, and align with our values, depends on our ability to work with other countries. This includes our close friends in the Pacific and our traditional and other Commonwealth partners, as well as newer bilateral relationships in regions such as Africa and the Caribbean.

In these complex and challenging times, we recognise more than ever that we must collaborate with international partners, and that our shared interests can best be secured through global rules and norms: rules that treat all states and individuals equally and fairly; allow our disputes to be settled peacefully; and create an environment where the playing field is level.

The United Nations is at the heart of this rules-based system.

As New Zealand found again during its most recent Security Council term, in spite of its flaws, the Security Council remains the principal forum for collective action on some of the toughest peace and security issues facing the world.

This book is not an official government account. Rather, it is an insightful and useful resource for those who are interested in learning more about New Zealands role in the lead up to and during its term on the Security Council in 201516.

Rt Hon Winston Peters

Minister of Foreign Affairs