New Zealand has risen two spots to third place in this year's Global Peace Index. 

Countries are ranked based on measures including societal safety and security, and the degree of militarisation. 

We currently sit behind Iceland and Ireland, and ahead of Austria and Switzerland. 

Otago University Emeritus Peace and Conflict Studies professor Kevin Clements says recent defence purchases could count against us next year. 

He says New Zealand's never not been in the top five. 

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