The Centre for Strategic Studies is New Zealand’s leading institution for research and public engagement on strategic, foreign policy and security issues.
Through media commentary, research, public events and outreach, the Centre seeks to contribute to an informed public discussion on New Zealand’s security interests, and regional and global security challenges.
Latest research
Staff at the Centre for Strategic Studies publish regularly on strategic and security issues.
Prudence, Principle and Pragmatism - New Zealand's Security in the 21st Century – CSS Senior Fellow Jim Rolfe has a new book out on the New Zealand national security system.
Latest news and commentary
Navigating the Currents of Change
Keynote Address by Professor Transform Aqorau, Vice Chancellor, Solomon Islands National University at the 2025 PIPSA Conference, 20 February 2025.
Defence Capability Plan: Kicking the can down the road yet again
CSS Senior Fellow Peter Greener commented on the latest delay to the Defence Capability Plan on the Line of Defence (pp.22-24).
What does Trump’s return mean for America’s relations with Russia?
CSS Senior Fellow Ian Hill commented that the underlying causes of the Russia–US confrontation will not go away under a new Trump administration.
New Zealand wanted greater ‘strategic alignment’ with the US - what now?
CSS Director Capie and NZCCRC Director Young talked to the Waikato Times about the impacts of a Trump presidency on NZ and the US-China relationship.
What would a Trump or Harris win mean for the Indo-Pacific?
CSS Director David Capie looks at what a Trump or Harris victory could mean for the region, and how New Zealand may be preparing behind the scenes.
CSS Director David Capie published a chapter on New Zealand's maritime security
CSS Director David Capie contributed a chapter on New Zealand's maritime security interests and challenges to the book Blue Security in the Indo-Pacific.
Pacific Islands Political Studies Association (PIPSA) Conference 2025
A two-day in-person conference running again for the first time since the pandemic. Submissions are due by 1 Oct 2024. Registration is open now.
More conference details
New Zealand Maritime Security Symposium 2024
On 13 June the Centre for Strategic Studies hosted the third triennial Maritime Security Symposium in Wellington.
Watch the recording
Incline—NZ's place in the world
Incline, edited by CSS Director Dr David Capie and Professor Robert Ayson, is an independent website which publishes analysis and commentary on issues and trends that impact New Zealand's international relations.
Visit Incline's website
Study options
Victoria University of Wellington offers internationally recognised postgraduate qualifications in Strategic Studies.
Explore study options