indo-pacific defence

As host of this year’s meeting, New Zealand is playing a central role in shaping the future of Pacific security at a time of rising aggression from Beijing.

After firing a missile to within 700 kilometres of French Polynesia, Beijing has now invited a delegation from the small Pacific nation on a state visit.

The Defence Ministry warns international rules-based system is increasingly being ignored by some states, leading to a higher threat level for the Pacific.

Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto has moved his country even closer to Australia through a new ’treaty-level' defence agreement.

AUKUS aims to increase security in the Indo-Pacific region, and the supply of the submarines is under threat after the US cuts to their defence budget.