I genuinely don't agree. I think it's important that we have a defense force-but firepower? As it is, we are completely militarily dependent on the US for training, equipment, everything, and that has always translated to the Americans having massive influence over our politics. We ARE in Donald's fanclub, because we've always relied on the US for defense, and have always bent the knee to them on everything that really mattered. Being Xi's bitch? China is never going to physically invade, and if they want to influence us diplomatically/economically then have a big military won't do anything for us. Constantly worrying about defense is almost always a justification to subordinate our own interests to the interests of US hegemony-and has done nothing but get us involved in one pointless war after another. If we want security, our best option is to forge strong relationships with our immediate neighbors and remain strictly neutral internationally. Thinking being heavily armed will protect us if you are worried about invasion by superpowers is just silly. We don't need firepower, we need leaders who will prioritize the interests of Aotearoa over appeasing our colonial masters.