New Zealand will consider joining a defence alliance between Australia and Fiji that ​both countries entered earlier this week, Prime Minister Christopher ‌Luxon said on Thursday.

Australia and Fiji signed a major defence treaty, the Ocean of Peace Alliance, on Monday, committing each country to come to ​the other's aid if either is attacked as Australia ​works to counter China's growing influence in the region.

The ⁠treaty marks Fiji's first-ever alliance, while the Pacific nation becomes Australia's ​fourth formal ally, after the U.S., New Zealand and Papua New ​Guinea.
The agreement allows for other Pacific states to join.

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters added in the statement that Pacific leaders have for decades ​operated under an approach of having Pacific-led responses to ​regional security issues - and this alliance underscores that stance.

“Elevating our long-standing relationship with ‌Australia ⁠and Fiji - and other Pacific nations - to the next level through an alliance would mean we become even closer partners," he said.

New Zealand currently only has one formal ally, Australia, ​although it is ​a member ⁠of the Five Eyes intelligence grouping and is a key partner of NATO.

The statement said the ​government would now discuss its interest in ​membership with ⁠Australia and Fiji, and any final decision would be made by cabinet.

The announcement follows China's military test-firing a missile from a nuclear-powered ⁠submarine ​into the Pacific on Monday, which ​leaders across have reacted to with concern.

-Reuters