New Zealand Increases Defence Spending by $500 Million Amid Beijing Aggression

New Zealand is to increase defence spending by $571 million to bolster its capabilities in ‘an increasingly unstable world,’ Minister Judith Collins said.

Members of the New Zealand Defence Force look on during a ceremony to mark the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington, New Zealand on Oct. 12, 2017. Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

New Zealand will increase its defence spending by $571 million (US$377 million), with the money going to improve pay for frontline servicemen and women and upgrade equipment.

Defence Minister Judith Collins made the pre-budget announcement on May 9. The additional funding includes $99 million in savings from within the existing NZ Defence Force (NZDF) budget.