Review: New Zealand Must Boost Defense Spending

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The Spin

Anti-China narrative

The wording, the overall tone, and the substance of the new National Security Strategy represent a historic shift. China's aggression has been — and continues to be — a major concern as it elbows its way in the Indo-Pacific, forcing New Zealand to take the necessary steps to become combat-ready. This review is long overdue.

Pro-China narrative

New Zealand has maintained warmer relations with Beijing than many of its Western allies amid rising global tensions. PM Chris Hipkins's recent visit to Beijing showed that he's interested in stabilizing and improving relations with China. However, this latest analysis may be the first sign that Wellington has lost its ability to think for itself and is now echoing the US' strategy toward Beijing.


Establishment split

CRITICAL

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