The Finance Minister says it could take 15 years before Defence Force spending reaches a goal set out by the Prime Minister.  

Christopher Luxon says he want the Government to get close to spending 2 percent of the country's GDP on defence. 

It comes as Chinese naval ships run live firing round practice in the Tasman Sea.   

Nicola Willis says it will take quite a few budgets to meet the 2 percent threshold. 

"What we're working on is a defence capability plan that sets out what are the big investments we need to make to get our defence force ready - and that will take us out to 2040."

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The Finance Minister says it could take 15 years before Defence Force spending reaches a goal set out by the Prime Minister. &nbsp;
Christopher Luxon says he want the Government to get close to spending 2 percent of the country's GDP on defence.&nbsp;
It comes as Chinese naval ships run live firing round practice in the Tasman Sea. &nbsp;&nbsp;
Nicola Willis says it will take quite a few budgets to meet the 2 percent threshold.&nbsp;
"What we're working on is a defence capability plan that sets out what are the big investments we need to make to get our defence force ready - and that will take us out to 2040."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on the Government spending more of New Zealand's GDP on defence

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/83b88086-10f0-4f19-bd8a-b28e00656d5e/transcript