Christopher Luxon says he wasn't pressured by NATO to increase defence spending

RNZ News

7 hours ago

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
Photo:
Marika Khabazi
The Prime Minister says he wasn't pressured by the NATO chief to increase defence spending in New Zealand, and "a lot of our partners are incredibly impressed" by the government's commitment to raise spending.
It comes as Foreign Minister Winston Peters told
Morning Report
he believes defence spending must be increased beyond the 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) agreed to by the coalition.
NATO leaders, including US President Donald Trump, are in The Netherlands for a NATO summit where an increase of defence spending to 5 percent of GDP for members is being discussed.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is also there ahead of the North Atlantic Council meeting and told reporters NATO has its own commitments given its "existential threat" represented in the war in Ukraine.
"From a New Zealand point of view, the fact that we have doubled our expenditure, and we've got a very clear, comprehensive plan, a lot of our partners are incredibly impressed by that," Luxon said.
He also said NATO's role in the Pacific is limited, but its role should be focused on Europe.
"I think that's exactly where the focus needs to be," Luxon said. "We are not members of NATO. We are partners that have been invited here."
He said there were areas of common interest and discussion but NATO needed to be "within the bounds of Europe".
Peters was asked about the potential increase to 5 percent of GDP for defence spending in Europe and whether this would mean the region is "armed to the teeth".
He said "all they're being asked to do is to step up and do the proper and responsible thing if defence is a matter".
"Because defence and preparedness prevents war, a lack of preparedness often invites it."
On New Zealand's commitment to increased defence spending, Peters said he believed it would need to increase beyond two percent of GDP, but that that didn't mean New Zealand would be "armed to the teeth."
"That's why there's going to be a review of our position next year because we've gotta be prepared for changing circumstances and to - as they say - pull our weight."
He said New Zealand had spent decades "talking a big game" with old weapons and vehicles.
"We've just gotta do far better than that and play a responsible role, because we do have responsibilities in the Pacific to our neighbourhood."
Peters said he didn't have a specific figure in mind, because the "shape of defence and preparedness has changed dramatically."
He said some procurement decisions the government might have made recently would have been wrong.
"So we need to be up to date, forward thinking, and ensure we don't waste any taxpayer money in properly preparing ourselves for the defence of New Zealanders."
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