A change to defence recruitment in Australia is likely to put more heat on New Zealand's Defence Minister.

In July, its Government will let Kiwis who have lived there for a year join their armed forces.

They'll also let residents from the UK, US, and Canada join up from January.

Former Kiwi Defence Minister, Wayne Mapp, says it will add pressure back here.

"Especially for things like special forces - they can offer more pay and so forth. This is the kind of issue that the Minister has to deal with."

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