New Zealand is currently grappling with its most complex strategic landscape in many years, marked by a significant power rivalry and a military ill-equipped for upcoming challenges. This assessment arises from a government evaluation that, while lacking specific strategies to rectify the issue, emphasized the pressing nature of the situation.

Recently, the government unveiled its inaugural national security strategy, coupled with the initial phase of a defense assessment. This evaluation highlighted the necessity for New Zealand to allocate increased resources to its military and bolster connections with nations in the Indo-Pacific region. These efforts are aimed at addressing the multifaceted demands posed by climate change and the strategic competition unfolding between Western nations, China, and Russia.

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