Will building an integrated ‘Anzac force’ with Australia cost NZ strategic freedom? But they are in fact closely connected – and each has implications for New Zealand’s long-held freedom to act independently. Neither was developed from an assessment of New Zealand’s defence needs. While much of today’s defence investment is about building capability, it also guides how New Zealand’s forces will operate alongside Australia’s. Equipment bought to plug into Australian and US systems counts towards the spending target exactly as sovereign capability does.