Australia's Chief of Navy says China stirred "anger" in New Zealand when it sent a powerful naval flotilla into the Tasman Sea last year, encouraging political support on both sides of the ditch for increased defence spending.

Australia's Chief of Navy says China stirred "anger" in New Zealand when it sent a powerful naval flotilla into the Tasman Sea last year, encouraging political support on both…

A powerful Chinese flotilla that sailed through the Tasman Sea last year rattled Canberra and exposed Australia’s biggest vulnerability, a Navy chief and defence analyst have said.