The NZIIA Podcast

An expert panel discussion on the global rise of autocracies, effects on New Zealand and how citizens and societies can respond.  Organised by the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs (NZIIA) in collaboration with the Global Studies Programme at the University of Auckland. Featuring contributions by: Associate Professor Chris Ogden Associate Professor Timothy Kuhner Associate Professor M...

This conversation occurred at the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs flagship conference in Wellington on June 2025. Climate change is one of the gravest threats to New Zealand’s security and prosperity, and ultimately our wellbeing. The New Zealand Government has three priorities in addressing this challenge, including climate diplomacy and international negotiations, supporting clima...

This discussion occurred at the NZIIA flagship conference in Wellington in June 2025. The return of US President Donald Trump to the White House has created tumultuous news on a daily basis. The Administration’s approach to Ukraine, the Middle East, international trade, competition with China and reform of US Government institutions are creating shockwaves, and may have very long-lasting effects o...

This discussion occurred at the NZIIA flagship conference in Wellington in June 2025.  The New Zealand Government has unveiled a ‘Going for Growth’ strategy to enable economic growth, deliver more jobs and grow incomes. Central to the strategy are efforts to double exports by value in 10 years and increase foreign investment. Yet many nations are placing lesser priority on open economic relations...

This discussion occurred at the NZIIA Conference in Wellington in June 2025.  For decades, New Zealand’s approach to international relations has been driven by a pursuit of multilateralism, collective security and free trade. Since the end of the Cold War, this has been enabled to some extent by the pre-eminence of US power. However, the international order and the institutions underpinning it, ar...

At the NZIIA Annual Lecture 2025 on 6 May, held at the National Library of New Zealand, Hon Judith Collins KC, New Zealand Minister of Defence discussed the importance of New Zealand’s Defence Capability Plan announced on 7 April. The plan outlines investments to enhance the New Zealand Defence Force over the next 15 years, with a focus on the critical investments needed in the next four years. Th...

NZIIA event in Auckland New Zealand on 17 December 2024.  Industrial policy, including import substitution, has long been criticised by economists for excessive protectionism, which often led to inefficient and uncompetitive firms and stifled export growth. But pressures for protectionism in wealthy countries are growing, and developed countries themselves are now aggressively pursuing industrial...

Hosted by the Australian Institute of International Affairs and the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs on 5 December 2024.  It is difficult to think of two countries more closely aligned than Australia and New Zealand. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade describes the neighbours as 'natural allies with a strong trans-Tasman sense of family' and New Zealan...

On 14 November 2024 NZIIA's National Office hosted an expert panel discussion on how geostrategic competition is affecting the Pacific region and how New Zealand, Pacific countries and regional institutions can respond to this. The discussion included suggestions on how Aotearoa New Zealand can better engage with the Pacific. The event features a summary of the report’s findings from Guy Fiti...

NZIIA Event held in Wellington on 7 August 2024.  In essence, Australia’s commitment to AUKUS is a vote to help preserve Asia’s US-led unipolar strategic order. But what are the alternatives?  What kinds of new regional order might emerge to take the old order’s place if it cannot be preserved?  And how would we fare in them? Professor Hugh White’s presentation explores these questions, looking at...

Prof Harsh V Pant, Vice President, Studies and Foreign Policy, Observer Research Foundation talk focused on Modi 3.0 and India's Global Outreach, touching on its implications for the Indo-Pacific. Support the show

Recent international tensions have brought the twentieth-century Cold War battle of ideas back into the public consciousness, including via films such as Oppenheimer. But the Cold War was not only fought by militaries, politicians and scientists. Behind the scenes, a group of economists clashed over economic theory and ideologies, with far-reaching real-world effects up until the present day, incl...

On 17 August HE Ms Harinder Sidhu, Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand, presented to the NZIIA Christchurch Branch on 'A Roadmap for the future: Taking the Trans-Tasman relationship forward.'  About HE Ms Harinder Sidhu Ms Sidhu was appointed as Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand on 31 March 2022. Ms Sidhu is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs...

On 25 July 2023 in Wellington, David McAlister MEP delivered an address on trade, development, and security in the Pacific. This event iwas delivered in collaboration with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the EU Delegation to New Zealand. It was chaired by Hamish McDougall, Executive Director of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. About David McAllister MEP In the European Parliament,...

In this episode of the NZIIA Podcast, Lachie and Tejas are joined by guest speaker Marçal Sanmartí, who in his second appearance with us discusses the what and why of Space Command. We explore New Zealand’s position in the geopolitics of space, and what we can and should do to best operate in this domain. The militarisation of space, the risks of space junk, and environmental concerns of rocket la...

On this episode of NZIIA Youth Panel, we discuss briefly some of the impacts of climate change including but not limited to both international and domestic obligations of NZ, as well as some of the environmental impacts, in particular, the most at-risk communities with our guest Ri Theodore, Youth Climate Activist. Does something brief like this work or is there a need for something more detailed...

In this episode of the NZIIA podcast, Tanis, Lachie and Patrick are joined by guest speaker Professor Rob Rabel from Poland about the ongoing war in Ukraine, how those close to the conflict are reacting and why Putin continues to attempt to legitimize his position. We will also explore how New Zealand's position in this conflict has changed and why it is important to us at home.  Support the...

In this episode of the NZIIA podcast, Tanis and Lachie examine the current political, economic, and military situation in Ukraine. We will discuss what Russia desires, its military success and failures, and how the international community has reacted to a new war in Europe. We will also explore New Zealand's position in this conflict as well as how, and why, it is important to us at home.  Su...

On this episode of the NZIIA podcast, Alex and Tanis chat with Marçal Sanmartí, a member of the Planetary Society and a Research Assistant for the New Zealand International Review. We explore the fast-paced and Science Fiction-like world of Astropolitics, the politics of space in international relations. From what Astropolitics means for international relations, to the flourishing NZ Space Sector,...

On this episode of the NZIIA podcast, Alex, Patrick, and Tanis discuss Afghanistan. From breaking down Afghanistan’s long history of conflict and intervention to failed attempts to restore stability and peace, to the terror attacks of 9/11 and their decades-long consequences. What the future holds for Afghanistan, its people, and the wider world are also explored beyond the financial and human cos...

On this episode of the NZIIA podcast, the Governor-General the Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy speaks to the NZIIA about the international dimensions to her role in this audio of the event. As the outgoing Governor-General, Dame Patsy reflects on her role in promoting NZ international relations, both within NZ and overseas (22/06/21). To find out more about the NZIIA and the events we run check out our we...

 In this episode of the NZIIA podcast, Alex and Jordan from Victoria University Law School talk to Vinod Bal, an international law researcher who has worked in Vietnam and Berlin and has completed his dissertation at the University of Waikato. We discuss recent issues in international law, including the developing area of climate change law, and share some perhaps cynical views. Vinod then talks a...

On this episode of the NZIIA podcast, Alex and Patrick chat to Jackson Calder, a recent graduate from Victoria University who has started his own geopolitical risk and futures modelling firm.  We discuss the current transition from university to the IR  space, the importance of understanding risk and futuring tools for policy, and why we should all be futurists. Produced by Francesca Georgia Pietk...

In this episode of the NZIIA Podcast, Alex and Lachie talk to James and Helen of the newly establishing wargaming society. We discuss the background and conception of the wargaming society, what wargaming is, its importance in understanding international relations as well as its application to other fields.  Find out more about the wargaming society on their Facebook page and website, links on our...

In the first episode of the NZIIA podcast, we tackle COVID-19.  Through looking at the overall numbers, breaking down the situation in India, and NZ's plan to roll out vaccines in 2021, the NZIIA Youth Panel shares their thoughts and insights on one of the biggest international relations topics in decades.  Brought to you by The NZIIA Youth Panel. Produced by Francesca Georgia Pietkiewicz  Su...