"It's grim out there."
Those are the words Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has used to describe the state of geopolitics in a foreign policy address in Sydney.
"The honest reality is that the world is bloody messy," she said.
That also includes the state of global foreign policy.
"In politics, we call it a cluster… we just edit out the other part."
Ardern gave a major foreign policy address on Thursday at the Lowy Institute, an independent foreign policy think tank in Sydney.
"We must not allow the risk of a self-fulfilling prophecy to become an inevitable outcome for our region," Ardern said.
By that, she means making assumptions about China's assertiveness in the Pacific.
Instead, Ardern said trade can be used to keep countries friendly and talking.
"We won't succeed, however, if those parties we seek to engage with are increasingly isolated and the region we inhabit becomes increasingly divided and polarised."
But she denies calling for diplomacy with China while standing on Aussie soil was advice for our Trans-Tasman neighbour, who has a chequered past with the superpower.
"This is not directed at anyone in particular, but simply New Zealand's position more broadly."
Ardern's speech comes at the same time the heads of MI5 and the FBI issued stark warnings about China in the wake of a report on Chinese attempts to influence and interfere in US politics.
"It's the Chinese government which poses the biggest long-term threat to our economic and national security," said FBI Director Christopher Wray.
"The Chinese government sees cyber as athe pathway to cheat and steal on a massive scale."
Ardern said within New Zealand's national security priorities, there is a "very distinct reference to cybersecurity because New Zealand is not immune to experiencing these challenges".
Australia Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong put a different pressure on China on Thursday, urging it to wield more of its power to end the war in Ukraine.
"It's our view that, of course, they should too join with the international community in calling out Russia on its war in Ukraine," said Ardern.
The Prime Minister finished her speech on a positive note: New Zealand's special friendship across the ditch.
"This is our home. And that makes you, our cousins. But more importantly, over many years, it has made you our friend."
A friend Ardern hopes has our back in the Pacific.
