US Diplomat Pressures NZ on Defence and Nuclear Ban

By Ella Thompson

Former US Assistant Secretary of State David Stilwell has openly questioned New Zealand's value as a strategic ally, suggesting Aotearoa's anti-nuclear stance and limited defence budget restrict our access to American support. His comments underscore a deepening rift between New Zealand's independent, values-based foreign policy and Washington's increasingly transactional expectations.

How Does the US View New Zealand's Alliance Contributions?

Stilwell, who served as the top US diplomat for East Asian and Pacific Affairs from 2019 to 2021, did not mince words when assessing the bilateral relationship.

What have you done for me lately? In the end, international affairs are driven by real politics. Relationships are all give and take, right? It can't be one way.

This transactional framing ignores the soft power and diplomatic leadership Aotearoa consistently offers on the world stage, from peacekeeping to climate advocacy. Yet, it reflects a prevailing sentiment in Washington. Last month, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth labeled New Zealand's plan to reach 2 percent of GDP on defence as