New Zealand's top diplomat says he hasn't received pressure behind the scenes for Aotearoa to pick a side amid concerns a conflict could break out in the Indo-Pacific.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) has released a bleak report on the global state of play, finding that the "future looks grim" as strategic competition heats up. It says there is a shift happening from a rules-based system to one where states are competing for power.
"New Zealand faces a less stable Indo-Pacific region where inter-state conflict could occur," the report says.
Newshub Political Editor Jenna Lynch sat down for a rare interview with MFAT chief executive Chris Seed to discuss the report.
He told her he doesn't believe New Zealand will have to pick a side in any conflict, but the country is clear about where our interests are engaged and what our values are.
Are we being pressured behind closed doors to pick a side?
"I don't believe so. In the many diplomatic engagements I have had or have been privy to, I have not experienced the pressure, I have not experienced the sense of someone trying to leverage a position coercively about us taking a position.
"Countries have quite strong views, as do we, and we are robustly willing and able to defend them."
Watch the full interview above.
