For people of a certain generation the notion of signing a ‘‘statement of intent for closer defence co-operation with Japan’’ might seem inconceivable, but that was what Defence Minister Andrew Little and his Japanese counterpart Yasukazu Hamada did in Singapore.
Circumstances in the Pacific are radically different now from when Japan was a feared power; the country is now a firm friend and trusted ally which works closely with New Zealand on a range of projects in the region. A notable recent example of this was the combined aid mission in the wake of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano 18 months ago.
It is right and proper that we should have a close relationship with Japan, a country with which we do considerable business and with which we share many common aims. Naturally, as is seldom the case in such agreements, the real reasons for it having been negotiated and signed was not in the released text.
It would hardly be diplomatic to mention that the agreement had been signed with one wary eye on the People’s Republic of China, but that would certainly have been the unstated subtext to the statement.
While China has delivered some notable aid projects in the Pacific in its own right, suspicion remains as to its motives for attempting to increase its influence in the region in recent years.
Given New Zealand’s dependence on trade with China, which has grown since the signing of the free-trade agreement in 2008 to the point where the Republic is the destination of more than a quarter of our exports, any wariness and suspicion of the People’s Republic can only be cautiously expressed on an official level.
But being a valued trade partner does not and should not mean unqualified agreement with everything another country does. New Zealand has historic interests in the Pacific, and migration has only strengthened the priority given to the region.
China’s heightened interest in the islands coincides with Pacific leaders’ increased desire to exert their independence from the influence of Australia and New Zealand, as expressed in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
Whether Chinese money speaks louder than regional ambition remains to be seen, but developments such as the defence co-operation statement show that New Zealand is not backing away from its place of prominence in the Pacific.
Pacific nations were consulted during the negotiations between Japan and New Zealand so that the pact aligned with the 2050 strategy. That should ensure that New Zealand and Pacific interests remain in common.
Mr Little said the statement should ensure a more peaceful, secure and prosperous Pacific region, an aspiration few would quibble with.
Nor would there be any demur from his expectation that it would strengthen collaboration with Pacific nations on matters such as maritime security, humanitarian and disaster relief and climate change.
Should the agreement achieve its stated aims this will undoubtedly be a good thing. Gauging whether it will achieve its unstated aims — and, indeed, whether it even should — is another argument entirely.
But at least New Zealand is continuing to play a prominent role as a good neighbour in the Pacific.
And another thing
There will no doubt be some outraged that the King has seen fit to honour former prime minister Jacinda Ardern by naming her a Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
They will be a distinct and churlish minority.
Quite apart from the fact that the service of prime ministers of all political stripes is routinely and rightfully acknowledged by the country, it cannot be argued that Dame Jacinda did not lead New Zealand through an extraordinary time.
Agree or disagree with her approach and policies, the former prime minister did her best, based on the best available science and advice, to steer New Zealand through an unprecedented mass murder and a global pandemic.
Given all that, and more besides, it is only right and proper that the country formally accords Dame Jacinda its grateful thanks for her service.
