The case for ‘made in New Zealand’ defence tech

The NZ Defence Force told the Productivity Commission that issues in supply-chain resilience need to be addressed. (Image: Getty)

Dileepa Fonseka

Mon, 10 Feb 2025

Advocates for New Zealand fostering a domestic arms manufacturing industry say it would leave the country less vulnerable to unstable supply chains, and they believe it could boost some of the non-military parts of the country’s economy, too. The NZ Defence Force (NZDF) expressed some support for ramping up a domestic industry in a submission to the Productivity Commission in 2023 on resilience. “Equipment produced at scale on the other side of the world may seem more attractive/efficient through whole-of-life costing mode...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.
Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets Market Close

NZ sharemarket has big day: up 1.23%

Big boys go bullish ... for now.

Graham Skellern 26 Mar 2025

World

Australia unveils tax cuts in pre-election budget

Jim Chalmers said Australia would fortify its economy against damaging US tariffs.

AFP 26 Mar 2025

Australia unveils tax cuts in pre-election budget

Finance

Grenon seeks to end ‘futile’ NZME board stoush

It's time for the current board to fold 'em, says coup orchestrator.

Pattrick Smellie 26 Mar 2025

Grenon seeks to end ‘futile’ NZME board stoush

Sponsored

“Extraordinary” uptake for Auckland’s new growth hub

63% of lots at Spedding Road precinct sold ahead of completion.

Spedding Road

Sponsored

Research shows AI-based attacks causing concern and senior leaders overestimating cybersecurity readiness

Research highlights from Datacom’s State of Cybersecurity Index show AI-based attacks are top of mind and senior leaders might be overestimating their organisations’ readiness to recover from cyber incidents.

Datacom