New Zealand has of late suffered under the twin evils of protectionism and isolationisum, I warned In my last electoral campaign that these ideologies were gaining traction in New Zealand. The result has been a degradation.

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A degradation of our influence across the world.

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A degradation of our competitiveness in business.

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A degradation of our role to support the security of fragile states.

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A degradation of our military capabilities.

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We are hopelessly unprepared for the future,

As the former Minister for Foreign Affairs for National, New Zealand grew in stature, influence and prosperity. We committed to deepening our economic ties with trading partners by joining the CPTPP.

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We deepened our defense ties around the Asia-Pacific region, welcoming Singaporean air wings to train with us.

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And we prepared our economy and our defense forces not for the challenges of yesterday but for the future.

Under this government we are barely even able to deal with a fishing dispute between two pacific nations. How will we contain Chinese expansionism into the Asia Pacific? If we are to operate a defense policy of passivity and meekness, if our foreign policy is to abandon partners mid course and our trade policy one is of protectionism and not cooperative free trade with fellow liberal democracies?

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We need to take New Zealand Forward to meet the challenges of this new century we do not have time for the failed ideologies of the twentieth century. This is why I feel compelled to return to politics now, under the leadership of u/ToastinRussian we can turn this country around.