Mahuta talks up Five Eyes
But at meeting with Oz counterpart, Foreign Minister does not walk back contentious views
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta went to lengths to point out New Zealand’s value in the Five Eyes partnership during a bilateral press conference yesterday afternoon.
She shared the podium with Australia’s Foreign Affairs Ministers Marise Payne; both ministers were questioned about the expanding remit of Five Eyes.
It comes amid criticism directed at Mahuta, following comments she made about being “uncomfortable” about the group’s expanding remit.
But, in a press conference steeped in high-level diplomacy, Mahuta didn’t back away from that view.
“It’s not necessary all the time on every issue, to invoke Five Eyes as your first port of call in terms of creating a coalition of support around particular issues in the human rights space.”
And Payne did not appear to be push back significantly on that view. She told reporters New Zealand could express its concerns in “whichever forum they themselves determine appropriate and consistent with their respective national interest”.
Mahuta was clearly feeling the pressure, given the international fallout of her comments earlier this week after she gave a speech about New Zealand’s relationship with China.
She told media after the speech that since she had held the Foreign
We receive significant benefits from being a part of that relationship . . .
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta
Affairs portfolio, she had not wanted to use Five Eyes as the first point of contact on a range of issues that existed outside of its remit.
“That is a matter that we have raised with Five Eyes partners; that we are uncomfortable with expanding the remit of Five Eyes.”
These words prompted responses from all corners of the globe.
And this would have been front of mind for Mahuta, who went out of her way to point out how much NZ values the Five Eyes relationship.
“We receive significant benefits from being a part of that relationship and are close allies and friends in terms of common values and principles,” she told reporters.
She did not, however, back away from what she said on Monday.
“But whether or not the framework needs to be invoked every time on every issue, especially in the human rights space, is something that we have expressed further views about.”
Those views — that she is “uncomfortable” with the expanding remit — have drawn a significant international response.
Former Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer tweeted: “Sorry to read the New Zealand FM has downgraded NZ role in 5 eyes arrangement”.
“And they upgraded FTA with China in February while China was imposing sanctions on Australia. Used to be our best mates. Not now.”
The Global Times — media mouthpiece of the Chinese Government — praised Mahuta’s comments.
“The Five Eyes alliance, which originated from World War II, has become an anti-China clique, serving the US’ interests,” it said.
“New Zealand’s decision to be strategically independent offers an example for other countries.”
Asked about the expanded remit, Payne said Five Eyes was a “vital strategic alliance” and that “the liberal democracies of Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada and Britain share the same approaches to “so many . . . international issues”.