New Zealand is committing to working more closely with the United States.  

The countries have agreed to work more closely with each other and common allies like Australia, in areas like defence and intelligence.  

New Zealand's joining the US in financially supporting two initiatives in the Pacific to the tune of $16.4 million.  

Massey University defence expert John Battersby told Mike Hosking that we're now in a more uncertain Pacific region and things are changing.  

He says the one thing we don't want is a contest in our front patch between China and the US. 

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