At the recent Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, former New Zealand Defence Minister Wayne Mapp addressed comments made by US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth regarding New Zealand's defence spending. Hegseth accused New Zealand of 'freeloading' by only increasing its military budget from 1% to 2% of its GDP, while advocating for a new standard of 3.5% among allies. Mapp, who led the Ministry of Defence from 2008 to 2011, countered that New Zealand's unique geopolitical circumstances justify its current spending levels. He emphasized that the Pacific region does not face the same immediate threats as Europe, citing the absence of direct invasions like those seen in Ukraine. Mapp's remarks highlight the differing security dynamics between NATO countries and Pacific nations, suggesting that regional security considerations should influence defence spending decisions. His defense of New Zealand's military budget reflects a broader debate on how countries should allocate resources in response to varying global threats.