Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at RNZAF Base Auckland Whenuapai. Photo / Alex Burton
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at RNZAF Base Auckland Whenuapai. Photo / Alex Burton
The Government has earmarked more than $2 billion to buy five new Defence Force helicopters to replace the country’s ageing fleet.
Defence Minister Judith Collins also announced today a further $957 million in funding as part of broader plans to “rebuild” the country’s Defence Force amid “rapidly” increasing global tensions.
The pre-Budget announcement follows the launch of the long-awaited $12b Defence Capability Plan in April and the Government’s ambitions to boost defence spending to above 2% GDP within eight years.
Collins, speaking from the Whenuapai airbase, alongside Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, said this was a “big day” for the Defence Force.
It would be followed up by more defence announcements on Budget day.
Christopher Luxon on a tour of Whenuapai on Sunday. Photo / Alex Burton
“Global tensions are increasing rapidly but our current defence spending is simply too low and we have to rebuild the defence force,” Collins said from Whenuapai airbase.
“It’s very clear New Zealand is not immune to the increasing tensions being felt throughout the world ... distance no longer provides New Zealand the protection it once did.”
Associate Minister of Defence Chris Penk (from left), Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, Defence Minister Judith Collins and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at RNZAF Base Auckland Whenuapai. Photo / Alex Burton
The current Seasprites were built in the 1960s and 70s – and would reach the end of their service life in the late 2020s, Collins said.
“The new helicopters will be able to go further and carry larger loads, including weapons, personnel and equipment – all of which is critical for defence to protect New Zealand and New Zealanders.
“The replacement of the Seasprite helicopters will also extend the Navy’s ability to support non-combat tasks, such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.”
We have not been pulling our weight so today’s announcement is a start, but it is only a start.
While it shows our immediate intent, and our seriousness of purpose, the best aspect of the Defence Capability Plan is the Government’s commitment to review it every two years.
Collins noted the timeline for delivering them was subject to a business case, but it would be in the next few years before the current choppers reached their end of life, saying “as soon as we can do it, for the right helicopter at the right time”.
Luxon said New Zealand was facing its most challenging strategic environment for decades – and needed to be able to pull its weight and follow up words with actions.
“We are no longer living in a benign strategic environment,” he said.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at RNZAF Base Auckland Whenuapai. Photo / Alex Burton
“The risk of conflict in our wider region has risen and we have to do our part internationally and domestically.”
Meanwhile, Peters said – barring a few exceptions – the last of decades of defence spending has been “regrettably, simply woeful”.
“That has harmed our reputation with partners because New Zealand’s substance on defence capability ... has never matched the promises previous Governments have made nor the rhetoric that flowed from those promises.”
He echoed comments from Luxon and Collins that New Zealand needed to do more to pull its weight, adding today’s announcement was a start.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon took a ride in a Defence Force NH90 helicopter while in Samoa ahead of King Charles III's address at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Photo / NZDF
Peters said New Zealand First would be pushing to get the country’s defence spending up to 2% sooner than the eight years forecast.
The $957 million in funding across four years will go towards Defence Force activities – including:
$150m each year ($600m for four years) for the Navy, Air Force and Army to sail, fly, patrol and train more often;
$39m each year ($156m over four years) for military allowances, such as deployments;
$20m each year ($80m over four years) for international deployments;
$3m ($11m over four years) to increase essential engagement with international partners;
$26m ($104m over four years) for critical estate maintenance to improve accommodation and working and training conditions.
$8m ($33m over four years) to provide for civilian staff pay increases.
An additional $1m in short-term funding (not annual) for Veterans’ Affairs to manage applications for support from veterans.
Collins said Defence Force personnel were being called upon to go more places, more often and for longer to play New Zealand’s part in contributing to global security.
“This funding will enable them to do that.”
Julia Gabel is a Wellington-based political reporter. She joined the Herald in 2020 and has most recently focused on data journalism.
