New Zealand has unveiled plans to significantly boost its defence expenditure, aiming to reach 2% of GDP over the next eight years, according to an official announcement on Monday.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the move is essential to ensuring national security in a more unstable global environment.
“We cannot achieve prosperity without ensuring security,” Luxon stated. “Given the increasing global tensions and overseas conflicts, it’s vital for New Zealand to strengthen its role internationally to support trade and job creation at home.”
Defence Minister Judith Collins detailed the new “Defence Capability Plan”, which includes NZ$12 billion in funding over the next four years. Of this, NZ$9 billion (approximately $5 billion) will be newly allocated.
New Zealand’s current GDP stands at around $252 billion. The last time defence spending reached 2% of GDP was in the early 1990s.
U.S. President Donald Trump had a "very good and productive" phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy on Thursday, according to the White House.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to unveil fresh sanctions targeting up to 100 Russian oil tankers used to evade international restrictions, in a bid to cut off funding for Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Nethanyau is trying out of “utter desperation” to disrupt the current indirect nuclear negotiations process between Iran and the United States.
China has agreed to send its top economic official for rare trade talks with the U.S. in Geneva, as deepening economic troubles and geopolitical frictions force Beijing back to the negotiating table.
The United States, along with its European allies, is finalizing a proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, with a strong warning that new sanctions will be imposed on Russia if the truce is not honored, according to a French diplomatic source on Friday.
India has fired a series of missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory, in what it has described as “Operation Sindoor”
For the first time in history, an American has been chosen to lead the Catholic Church, as Cardinal Robert Prevost is named pope.
Discover every major VE Day 80 event in Britain, 5‑8 May 2025—from London’s parade and fly‑past to street parties, concerts and museum exhibitions.
Chinese e-commerce platform Temu has announced it will no longer sell goods directly from China to U.S. customers, shifting instead to U.S.-based sellers amid the closure of a long-criticized customs loophole.
A Rafale fighter jet operated by the Indian Air Force has reportedly been shot down for the first time in combat, according to sources cited by CNN, marking a significant and symbolic development in the ongoing escalation between India and Pakistan.
U.S. President Donald Trump had a "very good and productive" phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy on Thursday, according to the White House.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to unveil fresh sanctions targeting up to 100 Russian oil tankers used to evade international restrictions, in a bid to cut off funding for Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine.
China has agreed to send its top economic official for rare trade talks with the U.S. in Geneva, as deepening economic troubles and geopolitical frictions force Beijing back to the negotiating table.
The United States, along with its European allies, is finalizing a proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, with a strong warning that new sanctions will be imposed on Russia if the truce is not honored, according to a French diplomatic source on Friday.
Ten blasts were reported near Srinagar International Airport in India-administered Kashmir as tensions between India and Pakistan continue to escalate, prompting global concern over a potential wider conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump had a "very good and productive" phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy on Thursday, according to the White House.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to unveil fresh sanctions targeting up to 100 Russian oil tankers used to evade international restrictions, in a bid to cut off funding for Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Nethanyau is trying out of “utter desperation” to disrupt the current indirect nuclear negotiations process between Iran and the United States.
China has agreed to send its top economic official for rare trade talks with the U.S. in Geneva, as deepening economic troubles and geopolitical frictions force Beijing back to the negotiating table.
The United States, along with its European allies, is finalizing a proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, with a strong warning that new sanctions will be imposed on Russia if the truce is not honored, according to a French diplomatic source on Friday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment