Is New Zealand’s trumpeted independent foreign policy in peril?

Helen Clark has raised the alarm over New Zealand inching towards a pillar two status with Aukus, warning of a “profoundly undemocratic” direction of travel away from the independent foreign policy forged over four decades. Peters, foreign minister today and for a stint under Clark as prime minister, responded with a caution of his own. “Don’t mislead New Zealanders with your suspicions without any facts.”

Is cross-party unity on our foreign policy status splintering, and what does “pillar two” really mean? Annabelle Lee-Mather, Ben Thomas and Toby Manhire gather in the diplomatic bunker at Gone By Lunchtime podcast HQ to discuss.

Plus: public sector cuts are suddenly becoming very real. What are the implications for the public services and what is the political risk?

How is Melissa Lee navigating the media inferno in a coalition cabinet?

And a stirring defence of the history curriculum.

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