This is edition 2026/091 of the Ten@10 newsletter.
Hi all,
This is the Ten@10, where I collate and summarise ten news items you generally won't see in the mainstream media.
Enjoy!
1. Be prepared
Simon O'Connor
- 🌍 Former New Zealand MP Simon O'Connor warns the country must prepare now for potential Chinese military aggression against Taiwan.
- 🏛️ During a recent US presidential visit to Beijing, President Xi reiterated that Taiwan must become part of China, including by military force if necessary.
- ⚠️ O'Connor argues Xi's position should be met with outrage, not indifference, describing China as a well-armed militaristic autocracy targeting a functioning democracy.
- 🌍 O'Connor says Chinese control of Taiwan would instantly alter the geo-political and strategic balance in the Pacific.
- 🛑 He cites Hong Kong as a cautionary tale, noting that since 2019 its free press, free elections, and civil freedoms have been crushed by Beijing.
- 💰 O'Connor acknowledges China is New Zealand's largest trading partner but says this must not silence criticism or delay preparation.
- 📉 A Chinese attack on Taiwan would, O'Connor argues, make the economic fallout of Covid and current fuel disruptions look minor by comparison.
- 🏢 He calls on both the New Zealand government and corporate boards to begin contingency planning now for disruption across the Taiwan Strait.
- ⚓ Recommended preparations include alternative trade routes, diversified supply chains, and building onshore fuel storage capacity.
- 🔵 O'Connor praises Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's recent speech on global volatility but warns words must be backed by real defence and infrastructure spending.
- 💰 He argues New Zealand must prioritise strategic infrastructure and military investment despite competing funding pressures.
- ⚠️ O'Connor says the Middle East conflict was well-signalled and should not have caught New Zealand unprepared, calling reactive responses insufficient.
- 📊 He contends the international rules-based order is fraying notably, with threats coming from both friends and adversaries simultaneously.
