WELLINGTON, June 8 (Reuters) - New Zealand, long known for its staunch independence in foreign policy, sees like-minded partners as key to helping it navigate a more strategically challenging environment in the Asia Pacific region, its foreign minister said on Thursday.
The comments came as tensions mount between the United States and China and the two powers step up efforts to influence countries in the Pacific region where New Zealand sits.
Mahuta said New Zealand must have a clear-eyed assessment of the nation's interests and values and determine which tools are right for different circumstances.
"An independent foreign policy does not mean isolation, neutrality, or a fixed predetermined view of how we will act on a particular issue," she said.
"As the world evolves, so must our foreign policy," Mahuta said, adding the country would invest in a range of partnerships - bilateral, regional and multilateral.
Persons:
Nanaia Mahuta, Mahuta, Lucy Craymer, Sonali Paul
Organizations:
New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Thomson
Locations:
New Zealand, Asia, United States, China, Pacific, Auckland . New Zealand, Australia, Britain, Canada