Ardern front-foots claim several ministers waiting on China invites

Audrey Young

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has not denied claims by National that five of her ministers are currently waiting for permission from China for a visit there — which would be a further sign of strained relations with the superpower.

Instead she accused National leader Simon Bridges in Question Time of acting against New Zealand’s national interest through what she called “the politicisation” of the New Zealand-China relationship.

Ardern listed the six visits that ministers undertook to China last year: Foreign Minister Winston Peters in May; Climate Change Minister James Shaw in July; Education Minister Chris Hipkins in July; Forestry Minister Shane Jones in September; Science Minister Megan Woods in September; and Trade Minister David Parker in November.

She said five ministers might well be intending to visit in the future, given six had visited last year, then she was prompted by Peters to elaborate on what he called “New Zealand’s hitherto foreign policy consensus”.

She accused Bridges of “playing politics” over the relationship with China.

Ardern said it was important to have an independent foreign policy line that was in New Zealand’s economic interests and matched its values.

“It is disappointing that in recent times, we have seen the politicisation of our relationship . . .” Ardern has failed to get a date to visit China owing to “scheduling issues” and similar scheduling issues led to China cancelling a gala opening next week to mark the China-New Zealand Year of Tourism.