New Zealand’s Partnership Strategy in Southwest Pacific Offers Alternative to Chinese Influence Efforts

China is attempting to build influence with island nations in the Southwest Pacific by presenting
itself as a convenient partner that will not meddle in the sovereign affairs of these small island
nations. New Zealand is combating those efforts with countermessaging that emphasizes shared
culture, communality, and horizontal power distribution. Given the strategic importance of the
Southwest Pacific, the U.S. Army can learn from and leverage the efforts of New Zealand and other
Allies and partners to counter China’s information operations initiatives.