New Zealand, Australia and grounds for strategic scepticism toward AUKUS

Abstract

Historically, the New Zealand-Australian alliance has been based on principles of unity rather than uniformity. While Australia is a member of AUKUS, it is arguedthat there is little evidence to suggest New Zealand's participation in Pillar II would boost Wellington's strategic interests and values in the Indo-Pacific region. However, if New Zealand's decision-makers believe it is vital to strengthen the country's national security in the current global context, it should focus on boosting defence ties with Australia and raise defence expenditure to at least 1.7% of GDP to help make that happen.