Militarisation Or Peacemaking Security? – New Zealand Nuclear Free Peacemakers
Nuclear Free New Zealand can offer Peacemaking security services to our US ally rather than more militarism. The world needs Peacebuilder nations to prevent and end warfare. The Warmaking mindset is a historic barbaric trait in human beings. It is perpetuated collectively as ‘our culture’ in violent entertainment and reinforced by political military indoctrination and economic reward.
However, New Zealand need not maintain the militarism ideology and is well placed to be a leader in renunciation of warfare dogma. It is shocking and shameful that educated, affluent modern men (and women), in political leadership still promote war using technological AI war weaponry, herding humanity to nuclear destruction in the 21st century!
Recently, US Secretary of War -Pete Hegseth wrongly accused NZ of ‘freeloading’ and that NZ’s Defence spending should be 3.5% GDP (approx. $12billion) for Tech weaponry, in order to be a good US ally. NZ Defence Minister, Chris Penk’s response should be to diplomatically defend NZ’s impeccable service as a Nuclear Free Peacemaker. Penk should proudly promote NZ’s Peaceful contribution to Pacific security and decline increased Militarisation.
The greatest threats to NZ, the US and the Pacific are Climate Disasters, Sea level rise, ocean acidification, fisheries depletion, Ecological degradation, societal violence and poverty, etc. They are not military problems and cannot be resolved by military measures. The way to stop military threats is to lead by example (like Costa Rica), not by ramping up competition helping one side to ‘win’ wars or the arms race.
This US demand for more militarization, was made at the recent Shangri-La Security Summit in Singapore, with Hegseth saying US taxpayers are paying billions for Military defence in the Pacific region. Thus, he wants NZ to spend billions of taxpayer dollars too on Militarism, as a ‘true partner’. This sounds like the old ultimatum ‘You are either with us or against us’ and there is no middle ground, nor Peacemaking role in international relationships.
NZ does not need to fall for this false choice or be intimidated. However, we must be careful not to upset our US super power friend. We need to show the US how our higher common values for Peace, based on Justice and integrity are best served by non-militarization.
New Zealand’s role as a Neutral Peacemaker is the best contribution for Pacific security to help our friends and allies. There is a wealth of Peace services NZ can provide as a trusted Nuclear Free Zone Peacemaker state for 40 years.
If Hegseth is serious about reducing the Warfare burden on US taxpayers then he should start by slashing the proposed US budget of $1.5 trillion US taxpayers money on grotesque Techno-Military Space Age warfare. Most of this wealth goes to the Military Technology Transnational corporations, whose profits thrive on warfare. NZ should not be feeding warfare wealth, but carefully disentangling itself from the tentacles.
Collective Security and collaboration should not be based on militarization and warfare. Aotearoa NZ has breathing space to withdraw from the sickness of warfare. However, it must be brave to fight for peace, which is no longer ‘Military Might is Right’. New Zealand maybe small but stands tall for higher common values of Humanity and Earth.
Laurie Ross
Director: New Zealand Nuclear Free Peacemakers (1981-2026)
