NZ well placed to represent interests of small nations.
Our diplomats at the United Nations and elsewhere make an astonishing effort to win an occasional temporary seat on the Security Council. Foreign Minister Murray McCully is reported to have held almost 30 meetings with other national delegations in New York at the weekend to push New Zealand's bid.
Much as he might enjoy an election campaign and find canvassing for votes a familiar exercise, it was probably not his idea. He would be acting on advice that a seat on the Security Council for two years really counts. We can only wonder why.
The Security Council is potentially powerful but to take any action it needs the consent of all five permanent members: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. The veto was used most recently by China and Russia to prevent the council imposing sanctions against the Syrian regime. The 10 temporary members are bystanders unless the big five can agree.
Since those 10 seats have only a two-year term and incumbents are not eligible for immediate re-election, every country would seem likely to get a turn. The current 10 include Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Morocco, Pakistan and Togo. New Zealand wants one of their seats in 2014.