NZ Unveils $9 Billion in New Defence Spending, Aims to Reach 2 Percent of GDP

Defence Minister Judith Collins said the world is ‘inherently more dangerous,’ and Australia and NZ will work more closely together on an ‘ANZAC’ force.

An NH90 helicopter conducts training for aircrew on board the HMNZS Canterbury. The Navy's maritime helicopters are slated for replacement under the New Zealand government's 2025 Defence Capability Plan. Courtesy of New Zealand Defence Force

New Zealand has announced significant new spending on defence, aimed at lifting the total to 2 percent of GDP over the next eight years and taking the NZ Defence Force (NZDF) “out of intensive care,” according to Defence Minister Judith Collins.

Announcing the new Defence Capability Plan, Collins said the government would spend $12 billion (US$6.7 billion) over the next four years, $9 billion of which is new money.