The Globalisation of the Human Security Norm: New Zealand/Aotearoa Leadership and Followership in the World

This chapter examines New Zealand/Aotearoa’s global leadership in promoting the human security norm drawing on constructivist and critical international relations scholarship. First, it outlines the theoretical and conceptual links between foreign policies and state social identities with a specific focus on the mediating role of domestic politics for New Zealand’s foreign policy. Second, it identifies two human security issue areas to further demonstrate how New Zealand’s distinct state identity and pragmatism have influenced its approach internationally on climate change and on the women, peace and security agendas. Finally, it emphasises the unique vantage point New Zealand can offer for further deepening and broadening the promotion of the human security norm as an alternative to state-centric approaches to national and international security.