Spies and soldiers are getting a $600 million funding boost from the 2016 Budget.
Funding for the New Zealand Intelligence Community (NZIC) comes after a review found significant investment was needed for it to stay effective.
The NZIC will get $178.7 million over four years.
On top of this, $120.2 million will be spent on a major update of the Government’s cryptographic infrastructure (CPMI), which keeps it secure online.
It is a major boost for New Zealand’s spy agencies, allowing for significant staff recruitment, GCSB and NZSIS Minister Christopher Finlayson says.
Mr Finlayson says the funding will help to maintain security in a rapidly evolving security environment.
"New Zealand is not immune to global threats such as cyber-attacks and the risks posed by extremist groups such as ISIL. Proper resourcing is critical in an increasingly complex international and domestic security landscape."
The Defence Force is getting $300.9 million for more personnel and the regeneration of properties, Defence Force Minister Gerry Brownlee says.
“The funding announced today allows the Defence Force to concurrently undertake domestic, regional and international security tasks, giving it greater options in responding to changes in the security environment,” he says.
Mr Brownlee says the 2016 Defence White Paper will soon be released, which confirms where investment will be directed in the Defence Force until 2030.
Newshub.
