A former Defence Minister says our geographical separation should negate the need to up our defence spending.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's accused New Zealand of freeloading off the US military by spending 2 percent of GDP on defence. 

He's revealed expectations that US allies spend 3.5 percent of GDP, at a global security summit in Singapore. 

But Wayne Mapp says the Pacific isn't facing threats of invasion, the same way NATO countries are.  

"Everything that comes to New Zealand costs more. Every place we go to costs more, but there is one advantage we get out of it, and that's security." 

LISTEN ABOVE

A former Defence Minister says our geographical separation should negate the need to up our defence spending.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's accused New Zealand of freeloading off the US military by spending 2 percent of GDP on defence.&nbsp;
He's revealed expectations that US allies spend 3.5 percent of GDP, at a global security summit in Singapore.&nbsp;
But Wayne Mapp says the Pacific isn't facing threats of invasion, the same way NATO countries are. &nbsp;
"Everything that comes to New Zealand costs more. Every place we go to costs more, but there is one advantage we get out of it, and that's security."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Don't miss a thing while you're on holiday, with Newstalk ZB Holiday Breakfast. We deliver the best in news, views and opinion to keep Kiwis informed and entertained while you're on the road, at the bach, or relaxing at home.

Don't miss a thing while you're on holiday, with Newstalk ZB Holiday Breakfast. We deliver the best in news, views and opinion to keep Kiwis informed and entertained while you're on the road, at the bach, or relaxing at home.

Don't miss a thing while you're on holiday, with Tim Dower and Newstalk ZB Holiday Breakfast.

Holiday Breakfast

Don't miss a thing while you're on holiday, with Tim Dower and Newstalk ZB Holiday Breakfast. Tim delivers the best in news, views and opinion to keep Kiwis informed and entertained while you're on the road, at the bach, or relaxing at home.

Wayne Mapp: former Defence Minister on US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth accusing New Zealand of freeloading

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2ce8c861-1613-4dfa-8189-b45b016dcb22/transcript