NEW ZEALAND’S UNEXPECTED OPENING TO ASIA: JOHN REID AND THE MAKING OF THE COLOMBO PLAN, 1949-52

Post-war New Zealand was reluctant to follow Australia’s activism on combatting communism in Asia through assistance to the ex-colonies. In early 1950 its government was cool towards what was at first known as the ‘Spender Plan’ for Asia, and refused to commit any money. Nevertheless John Reid, who led the party of NZ officials involved in preparing the agenda for the crucial Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Sydney in May 1950, effectively allied with Asian delegates to rescue ‘Technical Assistance’ from an otherwise disastrous British-Australian conflict. Despite itself, New Zealand played a very constructive role in the emergence of the Colombo Plan.