New Zealand Calls for Increased Military Spending and Indo-Pacific Alliances to Tackle Power Rivalry and Climate Change

New Zealand Calls for Increased Military Spending and Indo-Pacific Alliances to Tackle Power Rivalry and Climate Change

New Zealand has announced the need for higher military expenditure and closer ties with countries in the Indo-Pacific region in order to address the challenges posed by great power rivalry and climate change. The government’s statement comes as the country conducts a defense review and launches its first-ever national security strategy.

Defence Minister Andrew Little emphasized that New Zealand is currently facing more geostrategic challenges than it has in decades. The rise of China, in particular, has disrupted traditional norms and behaviors even from a distance of 9,000 kilometers (5,592 miles) away in Wellington.

According to one policy document, an increasingly powerful China is utilizing all aspects of its national power in ways that can create challenges for existing international rules and norms. Another document pointed out that Chinese state-backed actors have exploited cyber vulnerabilities that undermine New Zealand’s security, although no further details were provided.

To ensure readiness for armed conflict and disaster relief operations, New Zealand’s military requires additional investment, equipment, and training, according to a policy document accompanying the security strategy. A further review will determine the necessary investments.

Climate change and great power competition in the region, which was previously considered protected due to its remoteness, were also highlighted as potential risks by Little. He stated that New Zealand’s response and preparedness must adapt to the changes in the domestic and international security environment. Strategies and capabilities are needed to effectively respond to these challenges.

The defense review also emphasizes the importance of deepening defense ties with Australia, New Zealand’s sole ally, and building closer connections with other partners in the region, including the United States. Little described the U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific as critical for New Zealand’s security.

New Zealand, known for its commitment to independence, famously banned nuclear-armed and nuclear-powered ships from its waters in 1984. The defense review, originally scheduled for completion by mid-2024, is taking place at a time when the country’s defense forces are stretched thin. Despite significant investments by the Labour government to upgrade its Vietnam War-era air fleet and improve military salaries for better retention, three of the Navy’s nine ships are currently idle due to staff shortages, with plans for a ship suitable for patrolling the harsh conditions of the Southern Ocean suspended.

Little emphasized the need for major investments to address these challenges and meet the expectations of neighboring countries and partners who want New Zealand to take more action. Currently, New Zealand’s defense spending amounts to about 1% of its GDP.

In conclusion, New Zealand’s government has highlighted the need for increased military spending and strengthened alliances in the Indo-Pacific region to address the security challenges posed by great power rivalry and climate change. The ongoing defense review aims to assess the necessary investments and ensure readiness for future conflicts and disaster relief operations. New Zealand also seeks to deepen its defense ties with Australia and other regional partners while acknowledging the critical presence of the United States in the Indo-Pacific.