News Story: NZ Budget Holds Steady, Air Force Gains

RNZN Super Seasprite ASW Helicopter (Image: Wiki Commons)

By NICK LEE-FRAMPTON

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND — New Zealand’s spending on defense is little changed from the NZ $2.9 billion (then US $2.2 billion) for 2012-2013 to NZ $2.87 billion for 2013-2014.

The details, announced in the May 16 budget, include a marked reduction in spending on the Royal New Zealand Navy, a decrease in the Army’s budget and a modest increase for the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Funding for the Navy drops from NZ $662 million to just under NZ $600 million.

Spending on the Army falls from NZ $845 million to NZ $810 million while the Air Force enjoys a surge from NZ $790 million to just over NZ $803 million.

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