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Written by

Trevor Ammundsen

Published on

July 29, 2025

Why are we friendly with NATO?

Over the past few years both the Labour and National led Governments have become quite friendly with NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. NATO was formed after the Second World War as a defence partnership between USA and European Nations, defending themselves from the Russian Empire. It was formed as an “All for one and one for all” type of organisation which obliges all members to go to the defence of any member who is attacked. Full membership would place significant and deadly obligations on us.

I just don’t understand why politicians want to get us involved. We are about as far away from the North Atlantic as it is possible to get without mingling with penguins and we seem so unnecessary to them, in terms of military might. I started to get understanding from an article I read that had a NATO Official refer to us, along with Australia, Japan and South Korea, as their Indo-Pacific Four.

Apparently, we partner with them to defend the region, and in particular the Indian Ocean. When I read that, it became clear that from the NATO point of view; they were to get a group of nations to defend, and pay for the defence of, the southern entrance to the Suez Canal. So they want us to be their buddies and keep the shipping channel open for their trade, and also ours to a lesser exten? They of course will keep the Mediterranean end free of obstructions caused by nasty Arabs and other pirates, but of course there aren’t any at that end. Sounds like a good deal, for NATO.

Some conservatives will be enthusiastic about joining NATO, seeing this as a great way to protect our nation from the various bullies that surround us. We have had such arrangements before, but never seemed to benefit from them. We have sent our young men to serve our foreign partners, and be killed in this duty, in many wars; The Boer War, both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and I am sure there are many more. In return we have received what?

The only time the English got involved over here is during the Maori Wars when they were trying to get land on the cheap. The Americans were possibly more active, spending some time here winning girlfriends among our young ladies when on rest and recreation during World War 2. Any future involvement with NATO does not seem to offer any more benefit than the meagre amount we have previously received. So why bother?

The other area of confusion is – who is the enemy from whom we need protection? The most common potential enemy that is suggested is China, but aren’t they a great buddy of ours? China is our largest trading partner, is run professionally as a nation and is a consistent friend. The NATO side, being dominated by the USA, slaps tariffs on us, will not entertain a free trade agreement and is run by an imbecile that seems to feel his job is to be overlord of the planet. Hardly the actions of a great mate.

As an example of America’s “friendship”, they are currently interfering in the internal politics of Brazil, attempting to have a right wing buddy of Donald Trump set free from prosecution, and have put 50% tariffs on Brazil until Trump gets his way. This is hardly an appropriate way to treat a friend. China on the other hand, having built a deep sea port in Peru, have now signed up with Brazil to build a 4500 kilometre railway from that port to the Brazilian East Coast centres. China is therefore providing a conduit for trade from the east coast of South America to Asia, whereas the USA just offers negativity and threats. This is an example, but we could learn from this.

Our country needs investment and infrastructure. Our largest city needs money so why not encourage the Chinese to build a new port for us in the Firth of Thames, and purchase the Port of Auckland trading entity to run it? This would create an ocean hub between China, the South Pacific and South America areas, provide a significant boost to our economy and open up the views for latte drinkers in Auckland. This is a win all round and an example of what we can do with good friends, which unfortunately England and the USA do not really appear to be.