Reflection: NZ and South Korea must work together to deliver for the Pacific

NZDF infantry platoon training alongside Republic of Korea and United States forces in South Korea, September 2025

The South Pacific has emerged as a new frontier for major power competition. However, the strategic priorities of the major powers do not always reflect the immediate needs of Pacific Island states. It is here, that smaller powers can make a real difference.

While different in size, geography and capabilities, South Korea, as a pivotal middle power, and New Zealand, as a small but constructive state, share complementary worldviews and a clear understanding of their respective roles in regional and global affairs. Moreover, combining New Zealand’s soft power and regional knowledge with South Korea’s technological expertise and resources would well position the two countries to provide alternatives that meet the development, resilience, and sustainability needs of Pacific peoples.

Aligned priorities and worldviews

One of the most striking areas of alignment between South Korea and New Zealand is our views on the South Pacific.

Both South Korea and New Zealand's approach to the Indo-Pacific show substantial convergence with a shared commitment to regional cooperation, stability, and sustainable development, as well as recognition of the importance of economic engagement and trade ties.

South Korea’s emphasis on technological collaboration and economic partnerships aligns naturally with New Zealand’s focus on resilience, inclusive growth, and development cooperation – especially in the Pacific context.

Perhaps the most pronounced convergence lies in our shared commitment to addressing climate change and environmental degradation. For New Zealand, climate action is a central priority in the South Pacific, with a proactive stance on sustainability, renewable energy, and environmental protection. This approach resonates strongly with Pacific Island nations, whose vulnerabilities to climate change are acute.

South Korea, for its part, is increasingly active in environmental protection and clean energy initiatives. This alignment offers scope for collaborative projects in renewable energy deployment, climate adaptation, and green growth strategies. By combining New Zealand’s soft power – built on cultural diplomacy, people-to-people exchanges, and strong development partnerships – with South Korea’s technological expertise, the two countries could deliver impactful, high-visibility climate resilience projects in the Pacific.

Cooperation remains limited

Despite these strong policy alignments, actual joint activities remain limited. Much of our cooperation exists in principle rather than practice. To fully realise the potential of this partnership, we must move beyond dialogue to implementation. Initiatives such as the Asia New Zealand Foundation’s track II platform, which brings together experts from both countries, have been invaluable in surfacing shared priorities and generating goodwill at the sub-state level. The next step is for subject matter experts to articulate these interests clearly to our respective governments and policy communities.

Concretely, this means identifying joint initiatives with measurable outcomes and committing the resources necessary to see them through. Possibilities include:

• Joint pacific development programmes: Co-funded projects in renewable energy, fisheries management, and disaster preparedness.

• Climate technology transfer: Leveraging South Korean clean-tech expertise with New Zealand’s Pacific networks to deliver scalable climate solutions.

• Capacity-building partnerships: Coordinated scholarships, technical training, and governance support for Pacific Island states.

• Coordinated regional diplomacy: Aligning Indo-Pacific strategies to reinforce regional stability, inclusivity, and resilience.

For both countries, deepening cooperation serves national interests as well as regional stability. In an era of intensifying geopolitical competition, especially between major powers, the ability of middle and small states to act collectively is increasingly important. By coordinating efforts, New Zealand and South Korea can offer Pacific Island countries genuine choice, strengthen regional institutions, and demonstrate that middle-power diplomacy can deliver tangible benefits.

The partnership also reinforces each country’s broader strategic identity: South Korea’s as a constructive middle power in global governance, and New Zealand’s as a trusted, principled actor in the Pacific and Indo-Pacific. Working together, we can amplify each other’s strengths and enhance our regional influence in ways that neither country could achieve alone.

The goodwill, policy convergence, and shared vision are already in place. What is now required is a deliberate shift from conversation to collaboration. It is time to convert shared perspectives into shared projects, and common values into concrete outcomes. The stakes – for our countries, for the Pacific, and for the wider Indo-Pacific – demand that we roll up our sleeves and get to work.

Perceptions of Asia - Korea Country Profile

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About the author

Alex Tan is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Canterbury, where he also serves as Associate Director of the New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre. He holds honorary and adjunct appointments as Honorary Professor at the New Zealand Defence Force Command and Staff College, Fellow at the John G. Tower Center for Political Studies (USA), and University Chair Professor of Political Science at National Chengchi University (Taiwan). He is the Founder and Principal Research Fellow of the Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs.

The Foundation's Track II programme supports informal diplomacy with thinktanks in Asia on issues and challenges facing the region.