Maty Nikkhou-O'Brien

Founding Director of @Diplosphere. Ex Executive Director, New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. LSE, Sorbonne & Inalco alumna.

[Maty Nikkhou-O'Brien @MatyOBrien]

🌍 Why #Hungary’s democratic shift matters globally — and for NZ 🇳🇿
🇭🇺 Hear former INSEAD COO Attila Cselőtei, Hungarian historian Dr Martin Fisher & Dan O’Brien @distantKiwi discuss what’s at stake @diplosphere. https://t.co/BqCnB7P9qc

[Maty Nikkhou-O'Brien @MatyOBrien]

We spent a memorable weekend in the French towns of Le Quesnoy and Arras for #ANZAC
How do these events link to the world today?@diplosphere
https://t.co/SPmoyRIHir

[Maty Nikkhou-O'Brien @MatyOBrien]

#Iran: Not Just a Fuel Crisis — A Test for #NZ’s Foreign Policy? Join @diplosphere stellar line-up —@annafifield, Dr @rparsi (Lund University), @vanushi_walters + more — to unpack what the crisis means for NZ & beyond. 11 May, at
@NZParliament
Register: https://t.co/g9LOfmgC4L

[Maty Nikkhou-O'Brien @MatyOBrien]

#Iran: Not Just a Fuel Crisis — A Test for #NZ’s Foreign Policy? Join @diplosphere stellar line-up —@annafifield, Dr @rparsi (Lund University), @vanushi_walters + more — to unpack what the crisis means for NZ & beyond. 11 May, at
@NZParliament
Register: https://t.co/g9LOfmgC4L

[Arnaud Bertrand @RnaudBertrand]

This is beyond shameful: https://t.co/Ml2mNytPqK

When asked if it "bothered him at all" when Trump "threatened to kill the entire Iranian civilization," Rutte's response was simply: "what I want you to know is I support the President and I know a large part of Europe do."

If Europe cared at all about the "values" it supposedly has, this should be cause for immediate dismissal, and potentially criminal prosecution - publicly endorsing genocide would be classified as illegal hate speech in several EU countries, including in the Netherlands (Rutte's own country).

[Maty Nikkhou-O'Brien @MatyOBrien]

Eternal #Iran
Why the country matters more than just petrol prices and plane tickets, to New Zealand & the world.
@diplosphere @distantKiwi @HelenClarkNZ @DalrympleWill @Robert_Patman

Read here:
https://t.co/qFpvBcLalK

[Maty Nikkhou-O'Brien @MatyOBrien]

Eternal #Iran
Why the country matters more than just petrol prices and plane tickets, to New Zealand & the world.
@diplosphere @distantKiwi @HelenClarkNZ @DalrympleWill @Robert_Patman

Read here:
https://t.co/qFpvBcLalK

[Jean-Noël Barrot @jnbarrot]

Non, cher Mark Rutte. Les Européens peuvent et doivent prendre en charge leur sécurité. Même les États-Unis en conviennent. C’est le pilier européen de l'OTAN.

[The Elders @TheElders]

“What I think has been very, very damaging is the great powers with the veto breaking the international rule of law themselves”: @HelenClarkNZ gives historical context to the current crisis in multilateralism, speaking to @TVPWorld_com from #Davos.

https://t.co/JVE8aGZwxz

[Maty Nikkhou-O'Brien @MatyOBrien]

Chance Wellington Airport encounter with former NZ Foreign Minister Murray McCully ✈️🇳🇿
From hosting his NZIIA valedictory speech to now, it feels like another world.
Worth reading his speech: https://t.co/f6wCzsGMiu

[Maty Nikkhou-O'Brien @MatyOBrien]

A mini-Davos at Raumati Beach 🌊 — diplomacy over a BBQ 🍗🔥
Great to reconnect with H.E. Viktor Vavricka @SwissAmbNZ, and family 🇨🇭🇳🇿
His 2024 @diplosphere message still resonates: international law works—but only when words match actions.
@distantKiwi

[Maty Nikkhou-O'Brien @MatyOBrien]

A timely conversation as the world sits at a point of #rupture 🌍
A pleasure to reconnect with H.E. @AmbChina2NZ Xiaolong🇨🇳🇳🇿
We discussed the state of the world. In a fractured world, the NZ–China relationship, built over decades, remains strong. @diplosphere @distantKiwi

[Maty Nikkhou-O'Brien @MatyOBrien]

🇳🇿 Clean and green?
NZ’s image as a good global citizen is more than branding — it is a necessity.
As O’Brien wrote, Modern NZ has embellished claims to be ‘clean and green’—for image and for hard-nosed commercial reasons. @distantKiwi @diplosphere #NZpol https://t.co/DUsuDnlznE

[Maty Nikkhou-O'Brien @MatyOBrien]

Adieu Mr Bolger 🌿
“We can’t force anybody to do anything... All we can do is lead by intellectual argument and persuasion.”

A voice of reason we were fortunate to host @diplosphere.

The world needs more statesmen like him. More than ever.
#nzpol #NZIndependentForeignPolicy

[Maty Nikkhou-O'Brien @MatyOBrien]

Few leaders have the courage to speak truth to power in a moment of global inaction. Real leadership. In awe of @HelenClarkNZ’s courage & convictions.

[Helen Clark @HelenClarkNZ]

Standing at closed #Rafah crossing to #Gaza where no people or vehicles enter or depart is an eerie experience. Beyond that gate is an unfolding famine & genocide. The world has a duty to act - otherwise “never again” are empty words. It’s on our watch. https://t.co/f5xvMY3qaq

[Maty Nikkhou-O'Brien @MatyOBrien]

Spotted in Dublin.
NZ, does this look familiar to you?
He’s at the top … replace J by M
#nzpol

[Marco de Jong @MHdeJong]

While downplaying potential involvement in AUKUS Pillar Two, NZ’s coalition
government has joined a network of new strategic groupings to the same end.

@HelenClarkNZ and I argue that subservience puts New Zealand’s security and sovereignty at risk.

https://t.co/zqEJQ9a2Fn

[Marco de Jong @MHdeJong]

Just as war must be prepared, literally “made”, Pacific leaders can safeguard an Ocean of Peace through demilitarisation provisions supported by international law.

With gratitude for the patient collaboration of @dasafo123

https://t.co/9W0ouQHX2a

[Maty Nikkhou-O'Brien @MatyOBrien]

Here’s the @DavidParkerMP’s Foreign Affairs address at @diplosphere 👇

https://t.co/MXbxJVPwOm

[Maty Nikkhou-O'Brien @MatyOBrien]

Truly the People's House 🇳🇿
Privileged to address @NZParliament—this time virtually from Paris—to introduce Hon @DavidParkerMP's foreign policy speech at @Diplosphere, expertly moderated by @coughlthom.
In a time of global disorder, he urged a principled, independent path for NZ.

[Maty Nikkhou-O'Brien @MatyOBrien]

Truly the People's House 🇳🇿
Privileged to address @NZParliament—this time virtually from Paris—to introduce Hon @DavidParkerMP's foreign policy speech at @Diplosphere, expertly moderated by @coughlthom.
In a time of global disorder, he urged a principled, independent path for NZ.