The Hive is monitoring developments in relations between the US and New Zealand closely. If this was the cold war, and if the two countries were being scrutinised closely by intelligence agencies, red flags would be raised. What is going on?? We understand that there are five Congressional delegations due in New Zealand between now and February and there is a high level official from the State Department due also (Trans Tasman keeps reporting this as Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, but we think that it is more likely to be US Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, Paula Dobriansky. Dobriansky is a heavy hitter - she is currently leading the US delegation to the Bali Climate Change meeting, and would be the most senior visitor from the State Department for many, many years). She did speak at the US-NZ Partnership Forum in Washington in 2006, and is known to take a close interest in the relationship.
There has also been interesting traffic the other way. Moreover last night Defence Minister Goff and the US Embassy number 2 seemed very jovial about things at the Press Gallery drinks. We don't think that they were talking about Christmas!
The Hive is still digging on this and will report further early next week.
