Kia ora and welcome to the Winter 2025 edition – and 36th issue – of Line of Defence Magazine!
In this edition, we’re privileged to be joined by contributing writers Hon Dr Wayne Mapp QSO, Assoc Prof Shannon Bosch of Edith Cowan University, Editor-at-Large Dr Peter Greener, former RNZN Officer Andrew Watts, former New Zealand Army officer Graeme Doull, former RNZN Chief Petty Officer Jonathan Brooke, international security specialist Debalina Ghoshal, IFS’ Chris Morton and Bianca Nobilo, and Wesco Anixter’s Robbie Jones.
A big shout-out and thank you to this edition’s headline sponsors Babcock, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, and new sponsor Indra. The support of these organisations is a critical enabler for the continued publication of Line of Defence Magazine.
Read or download the 48-page full-colour Winter 2025 edition:
How quickly things change. As recently as my Editor’s Note to the previous issue of Line of Defence I had written that our pattern of Defence spending reflected complacent placidity and that an updated Defence Capability Plan was the subject of continued delay.
Well, DCP 2025 has dropped, as well as major Defence investment announcements in Budget 2025. Grand statements and big promises have been made. Now for the delivery.
In the first of his two articles in this issue, Andrew Watts notes that the DCP text mentions Australia 33 times in the context of the alliance and the need for interoperability. Importantly, the document states that each individual investment business case will now start with four key considerations, the first being “what is the Australian approach, and is there any reason for New Zealand to take a different approach.”
Dr Peter Greener similarly notes that the DCP gives significant recognition to New Zealand’s alliance relationship with Australia, with an imperative of New Zealand being a force multiplier, and the potential future “development of a more greatly integrated ‘Anzac’ force.”
Dr Wayne Mapp argues that although it seems inevitable that there will be a substantial increase in New Zealand’s defence budget over the next decade in line with our strategic partners, these decisions are not yet locked in stone. He writes that a lot will depend on the broader strategic picture.
According to Graeme Doull in his first article for Line of Defence, the DCP envisages a conservative and conventional defence budget, distributing funds broadly across many areas, with only a modest commitment to new technologies and a focus on replacing and maintaining existing assets and capabilities. Are we failing to invest in capabilities relevant to 21st century warfare?
And there’s plenty more in this 36th issue of Line of Defence Magazine.
Nicholas Dynon, Auckland.
