Defence Capability Plan: $12b and a path to 2% of GDP
What it actually does
The April 2025 Defence Capability Plan committed $12 billion over four years, including about $9 billion of new spending, with an aim to lift defence spending from just over 1% of GDP to more than 2% within eight years. Priorities include more strike capability and closer integration with Australia.
Source: national.org.nz · 2025-04
The Trump take
“Two percent! Good, finally, but I'd like five. Everybody's at five now because of me. Still, New Zealand is paying its bills. I like countries that pay their bills.”parody
Why it scored this way
Defence
Large increase in military spending toward the 2% NATO-style benchmark
+2
Loves it
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