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Clutching at the apron strings? New Zealand’s relationship with the EU and the possible consequences for ASEM

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Abstract

The Asia–Europe Meeting forum (ASEM) was established as a mechanism to facilitate meaningful connections and dialogue between Asia and Europe. In 2010, a new chapter in European–Asian relations is being embarked upon. Standing on the brink of Asia, New Zealand and Australia (alongside Russia) are set to join ASEM. Of the three countries set to join ASEM, New Zealand presents a particular case. Traditionally, New Zealand has been seen as the most British of its former colonies, but it is increasingly both viewed and identifies itself as Asian. Using public opinion surveys and media content analysis conducted in 2009, this article demonstrates that New Zealanders continue to feel a strong connection with Britain which in turn influences its perceptions of the EU. Furthermore, New Zealand’s increasing Asian links, coupled with its Commonwealth connections and British heritage, has the potential to positively influence events at ASEM.

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Notes

  1. For example, in the Lisbon Treaty

  2. Indeed, the Treaty of Waitangi has been central to the formation of national reconciliation and restitution which has been deemed important for post-colonial New Zealand (Falcous 2007: 376). Although the subsequent New Zealand wars between the Maori and Pakeha (foreigners) proves that the British forcefully acquired land, the signing of the Treaty nevertheless set New Zealand apart from other British colonies.

  3. Attributed by some to less of an Irish presence in the country

  4. See Hill 1993; Tsuruoka 2004.

  5. See aManners 2002, 2006, 2008.

  6. For instance, in Australia, the same survey showed 44% of the population had a connection with Britain.

  7. Coinciding with the timing of the public opinion survey

  8. These were—The New Zealand Herald, Waikato Times, Dominion Post, The Press and The Otago Daily Times.

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Acknowledgements

The author wishes to thank Ellen Derks, an NCRE intern, for her help in collating some of the data for this paper.

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  1. National Centre for Research on Europe, University of Canterbury, Level 4 Commerce Building, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Serena Kelly

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Kelly, S. Clutching at the apron strings? New Zealand’s relationship with the EU and the possible consequences for ASEM. Asia Eur J 8, 211–226 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308-010-0262-y

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