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Our ageing maritime helicopters will be replaced at a cost of more than $2 billion with five choppers that can go further and carry larger loads, Defence Minister Judith Collins says.

The Government this afternoon also earmarked $957 milion over four years in Defence Force spending as part of a wider $12b plan to upgrade equipment and capabilities.

“The replacement of the Seasprite helicopters will also extend the Navy’s ability to support non-combat tasks such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” Collins said.

It comes after the Government in April released the details of its $12b Defence Capability Plan – which indicated the country’s spending on defence would hit more than 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) within the next eight years. That long-awaited plan, released on April 7, revealed $9b of the funding was new.

Christopher Luxon on a tour of Whenuapai air base today. Photo / Alex Burton

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, speaking from Whenuapai airbase with Collins and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters this afternoon, said New Zealand is facing its most challenging strategic environment for decades.

He said New Zealand needs to be able to pull its weight and follow up words with actions.

Collins said this was a “big day” for the Defence Force and would be followed up by more Defence announcements on Budget Day.

She said the current Seasprite helicopters were built in the 1960s and 1970s.

Collins said the reason for the investment is clear, and that New Zealand could not have economic prosperity without national security.

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She said distance no longer provides New Zealand the protection it once did.

“As a maritime nation we are prioritising naval capability. The new helicopters will be able to go further and carry larger loads, including weapons, personnel and equipment – all of which is critical for Defence to protect New Zealand and New Zealanders.

“A business case for these helicopters will be considered by Cabinet this year but today we are confirming the money to pay for them has been put aside.

“Our personnel are being called upon to go more places, more often and for longer to play New Zealand’s part in contributing to global security. This funding will enable them to do that”

She said the investment shows the Government’s budgetary commitment to the Defence capability plan.

Collins said there would be five new helicopters coming thanks to the investment.

 
From left: Associate Minister of Defence Chris Penk, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, Defence Minister Judith Collins and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at RNZAF Base Auckland Whenuapai. NZ Herald photograph by Alex Burton

The timeline for delivering them is subject to a business case.

“As soon as we can do it, for the right helicopter at the right time.”

The Seasprite helicopters are scheduled to end service in the next few years.

Collins said the choppers were “overworked”, doing patrols from ships and searching for people.

From left: Associate Minister of Defence Chris Penk, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, Defence Minister Judith Collins and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at RNZAF Base Auckland Whenuapai. NZ Herald photograph by Alex Burton

Drones, she said, could do a lot but the devices didn’t help rescue people from the sea.

Peters said, barring a few exceptions, the last of decades of defence spending has been woeful.

“We have not been pulling our weight, so today’s announcement is a start. But it’s only a start.”

Peters said New Zealand First would be pushing to get the country’s defence spending up to 2% sooner than the eight years forecast.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon took a ride in a Defence Force NH90 helicopter while in Samoa ahead of King Charles III's address at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Photo / NZDF

Collins said the $957m investment in defence spending earmarked today equates to $239m a year over four years.

“Our personnel are being called upon to go more places, more often and for longer to play New Zealand’s part in contributing to global security. This funding will enable them to do that”

The new funded activities include:

• $150m for the Defence Force to sail, fly, patrol and train more often,
• *$39m for personnel allowances for such things as deployments
• $20m for international deployments.
• $3m has been allocated to increase essential engagement with international partners
• $26 million for critical estate maintenance to improve accommodation, working and training conditions for personnel.

“New Zealand is not immune from the increasing tensions being felt throughout the world,” Collins said.

“Today’s announcement sets us on our path for defence spending to reach 2 percent of GDP by 2032/33.”

Julia Gabel is a Wellington-based political reporter. She joined the Herald in 2020 and has most recently focused on data journalism.