New Zealand is close to signing a new defense treaty with the United States. The move is in response to China's growing influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
New Zealand has been part of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network since the 1980s. The country is also considering a new deal with the European Union to share information on its nuclear weapons program. It is also planning to work with the UK and Australia on a joint project to develop a new generation of high-tech weapons. The U.S. is also expected to sign a new agreement with New Zealand to share intelligence about its nuclear program.