Ep. 96: RNZAF P-8 in East China Sea, leaked email of NZ PM, arts and politics

Ep. 96: RNZAF P-8 in East China Sea, leaked email of NZ PM, arts and politics

From Views from Down Underer by Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs

May 4, 2026 · 1h 5m · Episode 97

About this episode

The episode discusses the RNZAF's flight to the East China Sea, a leaked email involving the NZ Prime Minister, and recent political art controversies in New Zealand and London.

RNZAF plane flies to East China Sea to participate in an international mission but the PRC Foreign Affairs Ministry criticised NZ for this flight. There is drama around the leaked emails regarding the position of the NZ Prime Minister about the Iran conflict. The email was supposed to be leaked by the Foreign Minister and NZ news outlets have been giving coverage about this 'scandal.' Banksy placed a recent sculpture in central London that many art observers say is a critique of 'blind nationalism.' What is this art all about? In the Auckland area, a sculpture of a Korean comfort woman was not allowed by a local council to be displayed at a Korean garden part of a public park stating that the sculpture is too political.

Topics covered

  • international relations
  • politics
  • art
  • scandals
  • nationalism

Keywords

  • RNZAF
  • East China Sea
  • NZ Prime Minister
  • leaked email
  • Banksy
  • political art
  • Korean comfort woman
  • nationalism
  • scandal

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: RNZAF, Foreign Minister, Banksy

Places: East China Sea, London, Auckland, Korean garden, public park

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