New Zealand and Australia will look to “strengthen” joint military capabilities and compare notes on major reviews of their defence forces.
Defence Minister Peeni Henare met Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles in Geelong, Australia, on Monday afternoon. The ministers, in a joint statement, said they agreed to a “reinvigoration” of aspects of the trans-Tasman military alliance.
“The ministers reaffirmed the strength of the Australia–New Zealand defence alliance in an increasingly complex security environment,” the statement read.
“Noting the rapidly evolving security challenges we face, it is vital our defence engagement at all levels remains responsive and efficient.”
Among the commitments made, ministers were considering more personnel exchanges, “strenghtening the joint operational capability”, and developing protocols to better co-ordinate humanitarian assistance and disaster repsonse efforts.
The ministers “agreed, in recognition of our shared views of the strategic environment, that officials will remain closely engaged in our respective policy and capability planning”.
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“The ministers also committed to supporting each other’s defence forces in regenerating collective training and force readiness post domestic Covid-19 related commitments.”
The New Zealand Government asked the defence agencies to lead a review of defence policy in July, saying a rewrite was required in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, intensifying great power competition and escalating climate change.
The review was expected to produce numerous strategy documents and conclude half-way through 2024.
The new Australian Labor Government has launched its own strategic review of its defence forces, with reccommendations expected by early 2023.
Australia is the only country New Zealand has a formal military alliance with.
Henare arrived in Australia on Sunday for his second meeting with Marles, and will travel to Tonga for a South Pacific Defence Ministers’ meeting on Tuesday.
Australia, Chile, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga all participate in the annual defence ministers meeting.
