New Zealanders are being assured talks underway for possible participation in AUKUS would not compromise Aotearoa's nuclear free status.
The alliance - between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom - is widely seen as a direct response to China's push for greater regional influence.
The first, key, element is a multi-billion dollar deal for Australia to get the technology and capability to deploy nuclear-powered submarines.
The second is about partner countries working together to make rapid progress in the military tech space - which is where New Zealand could become involved.
Here's political editor Jane Patterson.
