Publication

This analysis reviews the security ties between Australia and New Zealand following the publication of their respective Defence White Papers in 2016. The text concludes that 1) both countries are concerned about the future course of the rules-based international order, but they differ somewhat on how it should be sustained; 2) maritime capabilities are central to the defense investment plans of Australia and New Zealand, but their geographic areas of focus don’t completely overlap; and 3) while the defense posture of both states is far reaching, much of the glue in the Australia–New Zealand relationship will continue to come from the priorities they share in the South Pacific region.