As Ardern stepped down and Hipkins took office, China-New Zealand relations have remained relatively positive and stable. Hipkins hopes to maintain ongoing China policy, ensure the smooth running of trade and avoid conflicts.

On the one hand, Hipkins desires to win the up-coming election so stability is the key for foreign policy before the election. Hipkins was happy to see that after taking office, the support rate of public opinion for the Labour Party not only remained unaffected, but also increased to 30%, narrowing the gap with the National Party and ACT party alliance (45.5%). With the alliance with Green Party, the support rate would be 42%. This is for sure a good start for Hipkins government. 

On the other hand, Hipkins has not experienced disturbances brought up by China issues and the emergency to promote the bilateral relations. Internal government polls concerning national security suggests that the most concerning issues for the public are domestic natural disasters, incorrect online information, organized crime, domestic violence, terrorist attack, infrastructure breakdown and emerging technology in order. Out of which, international relations seem to be less important and mainly concern non-China issues. Therefore, bilateral relations with China would not be the ace card to increases support before the election.

New Zealand’s new government believes that China’ s strong rise in the south pacific region would do harm to New Zealand, but China is a competitor and would not seek conflicts intentionally. Generally speaking, China’s “threat” to New Zealand is under control. To avoid social hype about China brought up by “Chinese balloon”, the government would control media’s intervention in foreign policies and make sure policies are made and implemented independently and sustainably. The government would seek traditional diplomatic solutions to China issues. Unlike Australia’s former PM Morrison’ blatant criticism against China on social media, it tends to solve differences by official meetings, discussions and even criticism, even for sensitive questions like human rights, Xinjiang, Hongkong and convid-19.

Ardern was under huge pressure from Five Eyes Alliance when in office. The new government would continue Ardern’s stance, believing that the biggest diplomatic achievement stems from being able to distinguish domestic diplomatic issues from Five Eyes Alliance security issues. The First National Security Advisor Meeting and Defense Minister Meeting of the Five Eyes Alliance would focus on cooperation between intelligence agencies and not on political cooperation.

The government would prioritize domestic issues to increase support before the election and doesn’t want to subject New Zealand’s economy to China-US conflicts. Hyping negative comments against China would incur China’s sanctions, greatly damage New Zealand’s national interest and therefore cost the election.