NZ Defence Spending Gets Half Billion Dollar Boost

Published on May 10, 2024

New Zealand will increase its defence spending by $571 million (US$377 million), with the money going to improve pay for frontline servicemen and women and upgrade equipment. Defence Minister Judith Collins made the pre-budget announcement on May 9. The additional funding includes $99 million in savings from within the existing NZ Defence Force (NZDF) budget. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly unstable environment,” Ms. Collins said. “But they cannot do their jobs without the right equipment and conditions.” Of the additional funding, $163 million will improve remuneration for New Zealand Defence Force personnel and $408 million will be spent on upgrading equipment and infrastructure, broken down into $127 million in operational expenditure and $281 million in capital funding....

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