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.
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Tehran and Washington have wrapped up their second round of nuclear talks, aiming to revive stalled diplomacy and explore the path to a potential agreement.
Jordan's King Abdullah II and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held a phone conversation on Saturday to discuss ongoing efforts to end the Israeli war on Gaza, which has been ongoing since October 7, 2023.
President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a temporary Easter ceasefire in Ukraine has drawn strong criticism from Kyiv, as Ukrainian leaders question the sincerity behind Moscow’s gesture amid continued hostilities and deep mistrust.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has denounced a Russian drone strike that occurred just hours after the start of a declared Easter truce, calling it proof of Vladimir Putin’s blatant disregard for both the holiday and human life.
Elon Musk announced on Saturday that he plans to visit India later this year, following a discussion with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about potential collaboration in technology and innovation.
Tehran and Washington have wrapped up their second round of nuclear talks, aiming to revive stalled diplomacy and explore the path to a potential agreement.
Jordan's King Abdullah II and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held a phone conversation on Saturday to discuss ongoing efforts to end the Israeli war on Gaza, which has been ongoing since October 7, 2023.
President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a temporary Easter ceasefire in Ukraine has drawn strong criticism from Kyiv, as Ukrainian leaders question the sincerity behind Moscow’s gesture amid continued hostilities and deep mistrust.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has denounced a Russian drone strike that occurred just hours after the start of a declared Easter truce, calling it proof of Vladimir Putin’s blatant disregard for both the holiday and human life.
Elon Musk announced on Saturday that he plans to visit India later this year, following a discussion with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about potential collaboration in technology and innovation.
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