Measure
Snapshot
New Zealand
Ranked 13 of 26 for comprehensive power, with an overall score of 16.8 out of 100.
Lost 1.0 points (−6% change) in overall score in 2023.
Lost 1.0 points (−6% change) in overall score in 2023.
New Zealand is a middle power in Asia.
The country’s overall score declined by one point compared to 2021.
New Zealand performs best in the resilience and defence networks measures, ranking sixth for both. New Zealand’s performance across the eight measures is mixed, with future resources being its lowest, placing at 18th.
New Zealand failed to improve its position in any measure in 2022, and dropped two places in the diplomatic influence measure to 13th. This likely reflects New Zealand’s relative lack of high-level face-to-face diplomacy during the Covid-19 pandemic.
New Zealand exerts more influence in the region than expected given its available resources, as indicated by the country’s positive power gap score. While New Zealand is a net overachiever in Asia, its positive power gap continued to deteriorate in 2022, now being half its 2021 level.
Read more analysis in the Key Findings report. Explore further results in the Scores section.
Bilateral trade, current dollars (2020)
Globally, which countries does New Zealand do most of its trade with?
Which countries in the region rely most on trade with New Zealand?
A country’s weighted average across eight measures of power
Economic size and attributes with the most geopolitical relevance
Conventional military strength
Capacity to deter real or potential threats to state stability
Projected distribution of future economic, military and demographic resources
The capacity to exercise influence and leverage through economic interdependencies
Defence partnerships that act as force multipliers of military capability
The extent and standing of a state’s foreign relations
Ability to shape international public opinion through cultural appeal and interaction