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ExtremeKiwi's avatar

It's a blessing that those who formerly governed NZ are now in opposition. Your article exposes the naivety and short sightedness of their attitudes and policies.

We need to carefully consider our place in the world and how we have become reliant on trade routes remaining open to ensure we have adequate supply of fuel. Labour upended NZ oil exploration and should have intervened in the decision to shut down Marsden Point. This was in my opinion two major security blunders that may have massive impacts if a conflict were to break out and shipping lanes were interrupted. With just a small amount of forethought energy independence could have been ours.

Let's hope the new government isn't as blinkered in ideology.

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Steward Leung's avatar

Great article and thanks Simon!

I would also say: Independence doesn't mean Neutral

Independence is deciding how to position in the geopolitic to maximise our nation's interest (interest could be soft & hard, short and long term).

Neutral is not take any sides, no matter it's right or wrong, even harming our interest most.

Of course NZ should only base on our nation's interest and we should stand with the free world.

Also, if some people (like Phil) found upgrading our defence is so costly (indeed we are under-invest), this is the cost of trading with autocratic nations for years and tolerance. Now this is the consequence and the defence cost is a "payback". The European nations facing energy crisis after relying on Russia for years is a perfect example.

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