Kia ora and welcome to the Winter 2022 issue of Line of Defence Magazine! With so much happening internationally, regionally, and domestically, this edition covers a wide range of topics, from questions around future Defence capability to geopolitics in the Pacific, nuclear competition, overseas investment, and the state of the economy and its impact on crime.
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With no new Defence White Paper in sight, and in an international security environment marked by Russian aggression in Europe and Chinese influence in the Pacific, editor-at-large Dr Peter Greener asks what is the direction for New Zealand defence policy and capability?
The theme of uncertain times is echoed by Dr Wayne Mapp, who writes that current conditions require defence spending to be maintained at the NATO two percent standard. What should be the priorities, he asks, and could they be afforded within a two percent of GDP defence budget?
In an intriguing hypothetical, Andrew Watts puts himself in the shoes of one of New Zealand’s international Defence partners, penning a brief by the Chief of Navy of a fictional regional power on the state of New Zealand’s maritime capability. It’s not quite real… but it’s not too fictional either.
In his regular contribution to Line of Defence, National Party spokesperson for Defence and Veterans Tim van de Molen MP writes that the time is right for identifying what investments are needed to defend our values, play a leadership role in the Pacific, and contribute internationally. On the topic of investments, Professor Alexander Gillespie writes that New Zealand and Australia may well need to put their money where their mouths are in order to shore up their influence in the Pacific.
In this issue of Line of Defence, we’re joined by Rebecca McAtamney, LINZ’s Head of Regulatory Practice and Delivery, who describes the role of the National Security and Public Order regime in overseas investments in Strategically Important Businesses are in New Zealand’s interests. An important topic for the many Defence industry readers of the magazine.
Amid historically high inflation rates, Scott La Franchie writes that academic research points to a positive correlation between inflation and the incidence of property crime: as inflation increases, so too does theft; while crime also features in my piece on the challenges facing tourism security as Aotearoa opens its post-Covid doors to international visitors.
As always, a special thanks to our excellent sponsors who have made this 24th issue of LoD possible: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Serco Defence, Nova Systems, and Rheinmetall.
Nicholas Dynon, Auckland.
