11032 (2024). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

11032 (2024). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What alternatives to AUKUS, if any, exist for New Zealand to enhance its security and defense capabilities, while maintaining its commitment to nuclear disarmament and regional stability?

Rt Hon Winston Peters: New Zealand has established security and defence strategies and policies. As evidenced by the recent funding announcement the government has reaffirmed its commitment to New Zealand’s security and defence. Underpinning these polices is the governments ongoing commitment to nuclear disarmament and being nuclear free. New Zealand is a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of nuclear weapons and the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Rarotonga). AUKUS Pillar ii, which is a is a technology sharing arrangement, continues to be examined by officials for potential areas of opportunity for New Zealand. If New Zealand is invited and it decided to participate, formal decisions regarding Pillar II would be a matter for Cabinet in due course.