Land of the Free-thinking

New Zealand: Leading a Small Nation Across a Tightrope, offers an in-depth analysis of the abilities and international standing of PM Helen Clark, and outlines the numerous difficulties inherent in “governing a country of free-thinking Kiwis.” The article’s chief focus is on NZ’s role in Asia; in particular the work Clark has done towards establishing new ties there, as well as strengthening existing ones. “[Clark] paints a picture of NZ that deftly allows for its location falling off the edge of the world, at the same time as she stresses its blend of creativity, skills, feisty independence and first-world standards … ‘It’s our job to make ourselves relevant to Asia because we could easily be irrelevant because of size and distance. So that means we must go the extra mile to engage,’ she says.”