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US President Joe Biden (centre) speaks alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (right), during the AUKUS summit on 13 March, 2023, at Point Loma Naval Base in San Diego. Photo: AFP/ Jim Watson
An Australian defence and foreign policy expert is cautioning New Zealand against joining AUKUS Pillar Two.
Pillar Two of the security partnership between Australia, the UK and the US focuses on developing and sharing military technology between the group, including drones and hypersonics.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand is "investigating" joining AUKUS Pillar Two, while the Prime Minister, Chrisopher Luxon told the Financial Times recently, New Zealand was "very open" to it.
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark and former National and ACT Party leader Don Brash have teamed up to oppose any such move, saying it would be a radical change in NZ's foreign policy, which could upset our biggest trading partner, China.
Australian National University Emeritus Professor Hugh White is in New Zealand at the invitation of Miss Clark and Dr Brash and joins Paddy Gower in studio.