AUKUS isa an election issue in NZ in October

 The article "AUKUS is an election issue" by Dr Marco de Jong (as told to  Teuila Fuatai) argues that the AUKUS security pact is a deeply anti-Pacific policy that undermines Pacific values and the collective power of the Pacific Islands Forum. Dr de Jong argues that AUKUS is a destabilising force in the region and that its underlying philosophy condones nuclear war fought in the Pacific.

Dr de Jong also argues that AUKUS is being used by the United States and Australia to justify their increased military presence in the Pacific, which is a threat to the sovereignty and security of Pacific island nations. He concludes by calling on New Zealand to reject AUKUS and to pursue a more independent and peaceful foreign policy.

The AUKUS security pact is a controversial policy that has been criticized by many Pacific island nations. The pact is seen as a threat to Pacific sovereignty and security, and it undermines the collective power of the Pacific Islands Forum. "I call this a generation-defining policy decision because it’s about how we want to orientate ourselves to the region and the world. Just like our decision to be nuclear-free 40 years ago, this is about where we stand as a nation of the Pacific, and what we believe is the best way forward. "Any new government, irrespective of where it falls on the political divide, will turn up on day one and likely be presented with briefing papers on AUKUS Pillar Two. Soon after, a representative of that new government will likely be pressed on our stance on AUKUS at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in the Cook Islands in November. "It’s in all our interests to understand before we vote in October what each party’s vision is for Aotearoa New Zealand and the security of our region."