New Zealand defence spending set to increase by around $472 million

FILE PHOTO: New Zealand's Defence Minister Andrew Little poses for a picture in Wellington, New Zealand, March 30, 2023. REUTERS/Lucy Craymer

WELLINGTON (Reuters) -The New Zealand Defence Force will get an additional NZ$748 million ($472.14 million) over four years, as the government tries to stop the loss of military personnel and ensure the country’s military can operate alongside allies and partners.

Andrew Little said in a statement that the government would invest a further NZ$419 million in defence force salaries and NZ$328 million to upgrade assets and infrastructure over four years.