The Government's continuing discussions around potential future cooperation with AUKUS but it's still a long way off.  

Foreign Minister Winston Peters outlined New Zealand's position to the Institute of International Affairs at Parliament last night.  

He says we should be considering exploring Pillar 2 —the technology leg— but we'd first need to be invited to join. 

Former Defence Minister Wayne Mapp agrees, telling Mike Hosking that if we didn't join, we'd be turning our back on our traditional allies.

He said it's a pretty deep decision to make.

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