US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says New Zealand is not spending enough on defence, shortly after stating that the days of the "US subsidising wealthy nations is over".

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the “era of US subsidising wealthy nations is over”.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says New Zealand is not spending enough on defence, shortly after stating that the days of the "US subsidising wealthy nations is over".

Defence Minister Chris Penk was in the audience as Hegseth made the critical comments.

Giving a speech in Singapore, the US Defence Secretary chided allies for relying on America for defence and protection, saying the free ride was over.