Defence Minister Judith Collins says it’s vital New Zealand's able to look after a vast area, stretching from Antarctica to Tonga. 

The Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces have laid out their plans for a combat-capable ANZAC force by 2035.

Defence Minister Judith Collins told Mike Hosking it makes absolute sense for us to be closer with Australia. 

She says it's not as though our two countries will be a threat to anybody, but it means we can make use of our assets and people in a much more clever way.  

LISTEN ABOVE