One expert says it looks like New Zealand First is preparing for conflict with its new defence plan. 

The party wants to increase defence spending to three percent of GDP, up from the current goal of two percent. 

It proposes merging the Army, Navy and Air Force HQs, creating a Marine Force and increasing personnel by more than 5,000.

Massey University Professor Beth Greener says it doesn't specify what they'd do. 

"We need to be having discussions about - what are we preparing for? I'm less certain that there will be something like open conflict in our region."

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