New Zealand to consider joining Australia and Fiji defense alliance, Prime Minister says

WELLINGTON- New Zealand will consider joining a defense alliance between Australia and Fiji that both countries entered earlier this week, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Thursday.

Australia and Fiji signed a major defense treaty, the Ocean of Peace Alliance, on Monday, committing each country to come to the other's aid if either is attacked as Australia works to counter China's growing influence in the region.

The treaty marks Fiji's first-ever alliance, while the Pacific nation becomes Australia's fourth formal ally, after the U.S., New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

The agreement allows for other Pacific states to join.

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters added in the statement that Pacific leaders have for decades operated under an approach of having Pacific-led responses to regional security issues - and this alliance underscores that stance.

“Elevating our long-standing relationship with Australia and Fiji - and other Pacific nations - to the next level through an alliance would mean we become even closer partners," he said.

New Zealand currently only has one formal ally, Australia, although it is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence grouping and is a key partner of NATO.

The statement said the government would now discuss its interest in membership with Australia and Fiji, and any final decision would be made by cabinet.

The announcement follows China's military test-firing a missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific on Monday, which leaders across have reacted to with concern.

(Reporting by Lucy Craymer in Wellington and Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Raju Gopalakrishnan/REUTERS)