Source: Peace Action Wellington
The just released New Zealand Defence Industry Strategy is clear that the government intends to fund and develop a home-grown defence industry. The ‘defence industry’ is better known as the weapons industry or arms trade.
“The peace movement and the movement for a free Palestine will actively oppose the development of a weapons industry here. New Zealanders do not want to be a nation of war profiteers,” said Valerie Morse of Peace Action Wellington.
“Peace Action Wellington and our sister organisations have a long history of actively campaigning against the NZ Defence Industry Association annual weapons expo. This week there will be peace blockades and protests against the Aerospace Summit, with actions in Christchurch where the event is being held as well as Wellington and Auckland.”
“Space capabilities is one of three areas where the Strategy intends significant focus. The weaponisation of space is a major threat to global peace and security. New Zealand’s decision to focus on this is alarming.”
“Overwhelming New Zealanders do not want to be involved in, or invested in the arms trade. The 2025 Mindful Money survey on investment into arms companies shows very clearly that 80% of people here do not want to make money from the industries of war. As we watch the horrors unfold in Gaza, we are collectively revolted by the harm of weapons proliferation.”
“As part of the Strategy, the government is prioritising funding the weapons industry. It says the motivation for this big spend up is that, ‘The global order is being reshaped in ways that undermine our interests’. What it does not say is that the countries responsible for undermining our interest are two of our closest military allies: the United States and the UK. Both these governments are directly arming and funding a genocide. They are responsible for the mass slaughter of at least 60,000 people in Palestine and unimaginable horror. Their bombs rain down every single day on Gaza City delivered by Lockheed Martin.”
“What is even more surreal is that the Strategy anticipates funnelling money to global weapons companies with a so-called ‘technology accelerator’ that has a cash pool of somewhere between $100-$300 million. One of the world’s most profitable industries is being underwritten by hard-working people while many are struggling to pay their bills, stay in their homes and feed their kids.”
“The Strategy also seems ignorant that the NZ economy is rapidly de-industrialising with thousands of job losses across the country due to lack of government leadership – this entire project is based on an advanced manufacturing sector. Engineering firms have lost 1,200 people in 12 months amid the government’s poor economic management.”
Notes
Mindful Money 2025 research on weapons spending: https://mindfulmoney.nz/learn/revealed-huge-increase-in-weapons-in-your-kiwisaver-fund/
Job losses in engineering sector: https://www.acenz.org.nz/engineering_firms_lose_1200_people_in_12_months_amid_major_slowdown_in_infrastructure
