Just defence: No frigates! National campaign launch - Auckland

Join Just Defence and friends to launch the national campaign to stop the buying of very expensive new navy warships.
The government plans to spend between $16-$32 billion on new frigates. This decision will tie us into USA plans to wage war on China, the country that is currently our largest trading partner.
Buying new frigates represents a choice to align with a country that is currently waging an illegal war of aggression against Iran, funding and arming a genocide in Palestine, and rapidly becoming a major destabilising force in global security.
These warships are not for the protection of NZ or our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). They are very expensive to build, equip and operate because their primary function is to protect a USA naval carrier fleet.
The campaign launch includes the release of a Just Defence backgrounder on how the justifications for new frigate replacements don’t stand up to serious scrutiny.
The publication looks at their initial purchase and equipping costs as well as the through-life (operation, maintenance, and refurbishment/upgrade) costs. These costs come to between $16-$32billion, depending on how many frigates we might buy.
While ordinary New Zealanders are struggling to feed themselves and find work, the huge cost of any new frigates will strangle future governments’ ability to invest in health, education, welfare, the environment, climate resilience, etc.
Aotearoa/New Zealand can make much better use of government funds than funnelling billions into the military and the weapons industry.
We must make different choices.
AUCKLAND LAUNCH
When: Sunday, 13 September, 3:30pm
Where: Kauri Hall, Devonport Community House
Supported by Greenpeace Aotearoa, Anti-War Aotearoa, NZNO