by Mike Bain – The Daily Examiner.
The New Zealand Government has released its Defence Capability Plan (DCP), detailing a transformative $12 billion investment over the next four years, with the goal of achieving over 2% of GDP in defence spending within eight years.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Defence Minister Judith Collins defended the plan, emphasizing its alignment with New Zealand’s strategic interests in a rapidly changing global environment.
The plan includes significant near-term investments such as replacing the Boeing 757 fleet ($600 million to $1 billion), enhancing strike capabilities ($100 million to $300 million), acquiring new maritime helicopters ($300 million to $600 million), and extending the life of aging Anzac frigates through maintenance ($300 million to $600 million).
Collins noted the Pacific’s positive reception to the plan, citing their reliance on New Zealand for disaster response and addressing regional concerns like unregulated fishing and transnational crime.
She also acknowledged Australia’s cooperation in developing the plan, with Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles congratulating her on the initiative.
The long-term vision of the DCP includes replacing the Anzac frigates with contemporary vessels by the 2030s and considering uncrewed systems to enhance maritime helicopter capabilities.
Luxon emphasized the plan’s adaptability, stating that this blueprint is “the floor, not the ceiling,” for defence funding.
The DCP’s ambitious scope has ignited debate, with ACT endorsing the robust defence posture, the Greens critiquing the prioritization of militarization over social and environmental challenges, and questions arising about the balance between national interests and international alliances.
The plan’s reception reflects the broader ideological divide on New Zealand’s strategic priorities.
The Defence Capability Plan comes as Australia, the United Kingdon and several European nations up their defence spend and the second Donald Trump administration signals to the rest of the world it needs to step up its contributions.
Last week, RNZ’s first Reid Research poll revealed about half of voters think New Zealand should increase its defence spending.
This landmark plan has sparked contrasting reactions from political parties.
ACT Defence spokesperson Mark Cameron lauded the plan as a “major win for New Zealand’s security” and a testament to ACT’s long-standing advocacy for increased defence spending.
Cameron highlighted the plan’s focus on enhanced strike capabilities, deeper integration with ANZAC partners, and innovations such as uncrewed vehicles and space technology.
He expressed satisfaction with the prioritization of Defence Force personnel, emphasizing that years of attrition and underfunding have been addressed with new workforce strategies and equipment upgrades.
Meanwhile, Green Party MP Chlöe Swarbrick criticized the Government’s prioritization of defence spending over pressing issues like climate action and child poverty.
Swarbrick stated, “Conservative politicians can always find money for war, but there’s apparently never money for climate action or child poverty.
These are political choices.”
