Washington had not pressed New Zealand directly, she said, but the broader push for Western allies to spend more on defence was clear.
Collins’ comments come as New Zealand is embarking on its most ambitious military investment in years. In April, the government unveiled a Defence Capability Plan that will lift spending to NZ$9 billion (US$5.2 billion) in the next financial year, with a goal of reaching roughly 2 per cent of gross domestic product within four years.
That would mean an additional NZ$12 billion on defence, more than doubling the current outlay of under 1 per cent of GDP.
Australian soldiers disembark a troop transport plane in the Philippines as part of a joint military exercise earlier this month. Photo: Australia’s Defence Department
Australia, which currently spends 2 per cent of GDP on defence, has been urged by Washington to raise its contribution to 3.5 per cent over the next decade.