Foreign policy has barely registered in this election. National has taken a stronger stand on phones in classrooms than anything beyond our borders, while Labour’s Foreign Affairs minister, Nanaia Mahuta, embarrassed us with her “dollar each way” response to the terrorist attack on Israel, expressing her deep concern “at the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Gaza”. That is like regretting the “outbreak of conflict” between a knife-wielding thug and a dairy owner.

Our security depends on a world where the rules of trade and war are followed, and those who break the rules are held to account.

The next government will be charged with negotiating New Zealand’s place in this erratic and dangerous world. What a shame no party could be bothered talking about it much during this election.

Josie's Post column is here.