The Defence Minister says the draft security arrangement between China and Solomon Islands took him by surprise.
Peeni Henare says it would be extremely concerning if any other Pacific nations were eyeing a similar deal.
The agreement would potentially allow Beijing to station military forces there, prompting alarm here and across the Tasman.
The minister has just returned from a trip to Fiji, where New Zealand made a commitment to strengthen defence ties, saying it's important for this country to have a strong presence in the region.
Here's political editor Jane Patterson.
