In 2015 New Zealand began its fourth term as a non-permanent member of the United Nation's Security Council. Although the Council is sometimes thought of as an old boys' club of increasingly irrelevant superpowers, this book asks whether there is a role for smaller nations on the Council, and whether they can effect meaningful change for those suffering in war-torn and corrupt countries. Featuring engrossing chapters by key players, from the Minister for Foreign Affairs at the time, Murray McCully, to NZ President of the Security Council in July 2015 and September 2016, Gerard van Bohemen, this book tracks New Zealand's term on the UN Security Council and offers real insight into its day-to-day workings. It details how New Zealand sought to improve the Council's processes and wrest some power away from the 'P5' - US, UK, France, Russia and China. It also reflects on whether other 'small states' should follow New Zealand's example and expend their material and human resources on seeking a seat on the Security Council.

Author Biography

Professor Graham Hassall is Associate Professor, Public Policy and Administration, at the School of Government at Victoria University. He has participated in a range of academic, professional and policy networks and currently serves on the advisory board of the Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, and the New Zealand Centre for Global Studies. He was President of the United Nations Association of New Zealand 2012-16. Dr Negar Partow is Senior Lecturer in Security Studies at the Centre for Defence and Security Studies at Massey University, Wellington. Her areas of expertise include international security, Middle East and Southeast Asia, gender studies and body politics, human security and human rights. She is a regular media commentator and an enthusiastic human rights activist. Negar is involved with various civil society groups and has been working on diverse international security topics including social inclusion and diversity.