By Monsi A Serrano
As the Philippines marked the ninth anniversary of its landmark 2016 Arbitral Award rejecting China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea, New Zealand issued a powerful message: international law must be upheld, not taken for granted.
In a video message timed with the anniversary, New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Dr. Catherine McIntosh reaffirmed her country’s “unwavering commitment” to a free and open Indo-Pacific, and to the 2016 ruling itself, which she called a “final and binding” instrument under international law.
“This anniversary reminds us that the rules-based international order is not self-sustaining,” McIntosh said. “It requires vigilance, commitment, and cooperation among nations like ours that value peace and the rule of law.”
Without naming names, the ambassador alluded to coercive actions in the region that challenge maritime law and regional stability, an unmistakable nod to Beijing’s continued incursions in the West Philippine Sea.
The remarks come as New Zealand sharpens both its diplomatic and defense posture in the Indo-Pacific. Central to this shift is the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) signed with the Philippines in April 2025—a milestone that allows joint defense activities, enhances maritime domain awareness, and boosts humanitarian response.
“The SOVFA is a symbol of trust and shared values,” McIntosh said. “It provides the opportunity to increase our cooperation in a mutually beneficial way and stands as a clear signal of our intent to grow this defense partnership.”
She pointed to the Philippines’ vital position in global trade, especially with over $3 trillion in commerce passing annually through contested waters in the South China Sea. “Our economic prosperity and national security are inextricably linked to stability in the Indo-Pacific,” she added.
More than words: Exercises and increased military spend
New Zealand’s commitment has gone beyond statements and agreements. It recently joined multilateral maritime drills alongside the Philippines, Australia, Japan, and the United States, bolstering regional defense cooperation.
It also continues to engage actively in regional fora such as ASEAN, the East Asia Summit, and the Pacific Islands Forum, where rules and norms are debated and defended.
Backing this active diplomacy is a significant upgrade of military capabilities. McIntosh revealed that under New Zealand’s new Defence Capability Plan, Wellington will raise defense spending to over 2% of GDP within eight years—a major shift for the traditionally restrained military power.
This increase is not symbolic, she said. “Norms are being tested and institutions are being strained,” she said. Credible deterrence, not just diplomatic alignment, is now seen as necessary to preserve peace.
McIntosh reiterated New Zealand’s support for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), under which the 2016 ruling was rendered.
“New Zealand is proud to stand with the Philippines in defending UNCLOS as the legal framework under which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out,” she said, emphasizing freedom of navigation and respect for legal norms.
