Defence Minister Ron Mark says a massive Australian military build-up will benefit New Zealand.

“What is good for Australia and the defence of Australia is ultimately good for New Zealand,” he told Stuff.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled a A$270 billion (NZ$287b) military spend on Wednesday, up from the $195b originally committed in 2016.

The package, which includes new long-range anti-ship missiles, is aimed at preparing for a “post-Covid world that is poorer, that is more dangerous, and that is more disorderly”, Morrison said in his speech announcing the spend.

He also told media the spend was in response to strategic tension between the United States and China.

Mark spoke positively of the move during an interview with Stuff but stopped short of directly praising it.

“It’s a clear commitment by Australia to the defence of not just its own interests, but also to our Pacific partners, and a full realisation of the range of challenges that we’re all facing.

Australia remained New Zealand’s only ally, he said.

“It’s not for me to be criticising or commenting on another nation’s assessments of its own security needs, I simply note it.”

However, Mark said the announcement could be a boon for New Zealand’s defence industry.

“I’m very pleased that the door is wide open to New Zealand defence industry players to tender.”

Australia remained New Zealand’s only ally, he said.

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The military build-up across the Tasman will focus on Australia's immediate backyard, the Indo-Pacific region, where tensions between nations are rising over territorial claims.

Mark earlier justified New Zealand’s own $20b military spend by saying climate change would mean more humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in the Pacific involving the NZ Defence Force.

He echoed those comments when discussing the Australian spend, saying New Zealand's ability to respond to a growing number of climate change-related disasters would be enhanced by a greater capability across the ditch.

Mark said New Zealand should shoulder more responsibility for defending its own and its allies interests in the Pacific.

“If you’re asking me as a New Zealand First spokesperson on defence, I would say to you New Zealand First has always said our Government should commit to 2 per cent of GDP.

“Given that both New Zealand and Australia have sovereign interests in the Pacific, along with the United States and France and Britain, it only makes sense that we increase our participation and accept a higher level of responsibility for the challenges that are being faced.”

New Zealand spends about 1.2 per cent of its GDP on defence, while Australia has committed to spending 2 per cent of its GDP on defence by 2020-21.

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United States president Donald Trump has said NATO Allies should spend at least 2 per cent of their GDP on defence – Australia and New Zealand are termed major non-NATO allies.

Asked if the Government should follow Australia's lead and boost spending to 2 per cent of GDP, Mark said New Zealand should.

“If you’re asking me as a New Zealand First spokesperson on defence, I would say to you New Zealand First has always said our Government should commit to 2 per cent of GDP.

“We are running on a very thinly stretched rubber band."

Mark said the military's efforts during the coronavirus pandemic had lead to a spike in recognition and appreciation for the work of the Defence Force, and an associated rise in morale, he said.

But their efforts also illustrated the need for greater resourcing.

“People cannot continue to expect defence to pick up more and more and more of the load, while other Government departments struggle, and not accept that we have to resource them better.”