The strategic case for New Zealand to join AUKUS Pillar 2.

A debate is underway in New Zealand over whether the nation should join AUKUS Pillar 2 that involves collaborating and sharing of advanced emerging technologies. Most of the commentary has been critical, yet rarely do New Zealand's domestic critics acknowledge the potential benefits or strategic reasoning underlying the New Zealand's government's decision to consider the pact. This article offers a rejoinder to insert balance into the discourse. It argues that the advanced technologies involved in Pillar 2 will be critical in future conflicts, and that New Zealand needs them if it is to remain interoperable with like-minded militaries. It may also act as an economic accelerator for New Zealand's budding tech industry, and future-proof New Zealand's access to advanced technologies in a bifurcating global technology ecosystem. AUKUS is also part of a region-wide geostrategic re-balancing initiative in response to China's military buildup – it may strengthen deterrence against potential Chinese aggression. The article also considers the issue of New Zealand's perceived trade dependency on China and how this is a factor in Wellington's deliberations, and then challenges the critique that New Zealand does not have relevant capabilities or expertise to benefit the AUKUS members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]