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All parties on Foreign Policy
Foreign Policy · Party position

NZ First on Foreign Policy

Independent foreign policy focused on trade, defence and sovereignty

NZ First says New Zealand should look after its own interests in the world. They want to grow trade with Commonwealth countries and work toward a free trade deal with the United States. They also want to spend more on defence, protect New Zealand's borders, and make sure international bodies like the United Nations and World Economic Forum cannot override New Zealand's own laws and decisions.

What they say they'll do

  • Launch a Closer Commonwealth Economic Relations arrangement with the UK, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei
  • Continue working toward a full free trade agreement with the United States
  • Progressively increase defence spending to reach 2% of GDP by 2030
  • Establish a permanent Defence Capital Fund to pay for military equipment
  • Create a New Zealand Border Protection Force combining Defence, Customs, and Immigration
  • Require a national interest test before following United Nations or WHO directives

Who this affects

Exporters and businesses selling overseas
NZ First says it will review NZ Trade and Enterprise, expand the Export Credit Office, and seek new trade deals, which would change the support and market access available to businesses that sell products to other countries.
New Zealand Defence Force personnel
NZ First says it will increase defence spending and create a dedicated fund for new equipment, which would affect the resources and structure available to those serving in the military.
All New Zealanders
NZ First says it will apply a national interest test to limit the influence of international bodies like the UN and WHO on New Zealand law, which would affect how international agreements shape domestic rules.

In their own words

“New Zealand First believes that our country must have an active role to play in international politics. We believe in promoting New Zealand's interests and facilitating cooperation and trust between other nations.”
“Launch Closer Commonwealth Economic Relations *CCEA" with the UK, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei and invite India and other suitable Commonwealth states to join as associates”
“Progressively increase real Defence spending to reach 2% of GDP by 2030”
Verify at NZ First — official policy page

Summarised neutrally from NZ First’s own official policy (as at 2026-07-16) and checked by an editor. Nothing is paraphrased without the source linked. Read the original ↗ Arapono is non-partisan. Compare all parties on Foreign Policy →

Coverage at a glance

Which party holds a published position on which topic.

Open the compare tool →

Swipe across to see all 11 topics — the party column stays put.

PartyEconomyHousingHealthEducationClimateEnvironmentCrime & JusticeTreaty & Māori AffairsImmigrationForeign PolicyDemocracy & Government
National
Published position∅ No stated position (verified) Not captured yet
∅
Labour∅∅∅∅∅∅
Green
ACT
NZ First
Te Pāti Māori
TOP
Also contesting, without seats in Parliament
Women’s Rights
Animal Justice
ALCP
Conservative
Outdoors & Freedom
Vision NZ
Alliance
Free Palestine
NZ Loyal∅
Te Tai Tokerau∅