Defence spending to rise

New Zealand is getting new helicopters. (Image: NZME)

Mon, 07 Apr 2025

The Government’s defence spending will hit more than 2% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) within the next eight years, with a long-awaited plan released today revealing $12 billion in funding over the next four years, $9 billion of which is “new”.In a statement, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Defence Minister Judith Collins said the plan would deliver “enhanced lethality” and “deterrent effects”.Luxon will provide further details at the post-Cabinet press conference at 4pm, which is being livestream...

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