Former leaders from both sides of the nation's political factions have come together to push back against New Zealand joining AUKUS.

Ex-Prime Minister Helen Clark and her 2005 election rival Don Brash have co-written an editorial warning, claiming New Zealand needs to safeguard its independent foreign policy.

Former National leader Don Brash says New Zealand has developed good working relationships with the US and China, and joining AUKUS would complicate that.

"What's changed in the last 10 years is that the United States has suddenly recognised China as a 'peer competitor', and they don't like it. They're pushing very hard to get countries to jump on one bandwagon or the other."

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