Defence policy: A glimpse of the rarely spotted Kiwi hawk

Defence policy: A glimpse of the rarely spotted Kiwi hawk
A "meeting of minds" in Melbourne: Judith Collins, Australian defence minister Richard Marles, Winston Peters and Australian foreign minister Penny Wong. (Image: BusinessDesk)
Pattrick Smellie
Australians can be a laconic lot, so one wonders how much surprise they might have suppressed when the New Zealand foreign and defence ministers turned up in Melbourne this week for a rare show of Kiwi hawkishness.The one-day trip by Winston Peters and Judith Collins to consult their counterparts, Penny Wong (foreign affairs) and Richard Marles (defence and deputy PM, like Peters), may be the most significant shift in NZ defence posture since Helen Clark axed the strike force capability of the air force in May 2001.Peters, born in April 1945, f...

More Opinion

NZ’s farmers need innovation – not delays
Opinion

Fenton Hazelwood: NZ’s farmers need innovation – not delays

One in four jobs in New Zealand are tied to the food and fibre sector’s success.

Fenton Hazelwood 30 Jul 2025
Surcharge ban may not be a win for consumers
Finance

Peter Griffin: Surcharge ban may not be a win for consumers

There are winners and losers in the surcharge move.

Peter Griffin 30 Jul 2025
Private equity's fee-line for asset management
Opinion

David Chaplin: Private equity's fee-line for asset management

Big fish eat the little ones; are they swimming NZ's way?

David Chaplin 29 Jul 2025