You know best, US tells NZ

By JOHN ARMSTRONG

The United States has reminded New Zealand of its regional defence responsibilities in the South Pacific following the scrapping of the $500 million upgrade of the Air Force's Orions.

A brief statement issued by the United States Embassy in Wellington did not refer specifically to the cabinet's decision or the possibility that military surveillance flights over South Pacific waters by the Orions might be abandoned altogether.

It acknowledged that the Government and people of New Zealand "know best" how to address the country's defence challenges.

But it added that New Zealand had an important role to play in regional security.

"We hope the measures adopted by the Government will enable New Zealand to play that role."

Australia has expressed disappointment with the canning of the Orion upgrade, with its usually guarded Defence Minister, John Moore, saying Australian studies had concluded that the project was "good value" for New Zealand.

"Had the project gone ahead in full, the modifications would have greatly increased inter-operability with Australian forces.

"The upgrade would have enabled New Zealand to fully monitor its sovereign waters and it would have offered some lifetime savings for both countries from commonality of supply, training and software support."

He said Australia's strategic partnership with New Zealand remained the closest alliance it had in the region.