‘What have you done for me lately?’ former top US diplomat David Stillwell asks NZ - RNZ

## Introduction In a candid diplomatic moment that resonated far beyond the South Pacific, former top US diplomat David Stillwell asked New Zealand a pointed question: "What have you done for me lately? " The remark, reported by RNZ, captures a tectonic shift in global alliance politics - one that carries profound implications for the technology sector. New Zealand's tech ecosystem could be the answer to David Stillwell's pointed question. As defense relations increasingly become technology relations, the ability to innovate in software, AI, and cyber tools may determine whether Wellington remains a valued partner or falls into geopolitical irrelevance. This isn't merely a policy debate for diplomats in dark suits. For engineers, startup founders, and open-source contributors in New Zealand, Stillwell's challenge represents a massive opportunity - and an existential risk. The nation's renowned "can-do" spirit and world-class engineering talent are exactly what modern defense alliances crave. Yet without strategic investment and deliberate alignment with allied defense needs, that talent risks being overlooked. In this article, we'll dissect the diplomatic context, map the technology intersection, and outline concrete steps the NZ tech community can take to ensure the next answer to "What have you done for me lately? " is an impressive portfolio of modern defense technologies.

The Diplomatic Context: Stillwell's Criticism of Allied Burden-Sharing

David Stillwell, a former acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, did not mince words when he appeared on RNZ. His essential argument: New Zealand's defense spending, currently hovering around 1. 5% of GDP, falls short of the 2% benchmark NATO allies are urged to meet. But the criticism went deeper than percentages. Stillwell implied that the "five eyes" intelligence partnership and broader US alliance relationships require tangible contributions - not just promises. This sentiment aligns with broader US strategic documents, such as the 2022 National Defense Strategy, which explicitly calls for "integrated deterrence" and "investing in the private sector to out-innovate our rivals. " The implication is clear: technological contribution now carries equal weight to traditional military assets. For a country like New Zealand, with a small but highly skilled engineering workforce, this shift opens doors that were previously locked. The question is whether NZ's technology sector can pivot from consumer applications to defense-grade systems.

Defense Technology: The New Geopolitical Currency

The days when military strength was measured solely in tanks and aircraft carriers are fading. Today's battlefield is increasingly software-defined, from autonomous drone swarms to AI-powered intelligence analysis. The US Department of Defense's Replicator initiative, which aims to field thousands of attritable autonomous systems within two years, illustrates this paradigm. Similarly, the UK's Defence AI Strategy (2022) sets a goal to deliver AI capabilities Across all domains by 2030. For New Zealand, this means that the "what have you done for me lately? " question can be answered with a GitHub repository, a hardened Linux kernel patch. Or a machine learning model that detects GPS spoofing. The NZ Defence Force's own strategy documents acknowledge the need for "offset capabilities" - technologies that multiply the effect of limited human capital. This is precisely where the local tech community excels, and startups like [Rocket Lab](https://wwwrocketlabusa com/) (launch and space systems) and [Thru the Glass](https://thrutheglass co/) (augmented reality for battlefield visualization) already prove that Kiwi engineers can compete globally in defense-adjacent markets.

Where NZ Stands in the Global Tech Arms Race

To answer Stillwell's challenge, we must first understand NZ's current position. According to the New Zealand Defence Industry Association, the sector directly contributes just over NZ$1 billion annually - a fraction of the country's $350 billion economy. In software terms, that's roughly 0. 3% of GDP, far below the weight of comparable industries. Yet the raw talent exists: NZ has a per-capita startup success rate comparable to Israel's. But with far less defense-oriented investment. The gap isn't a lack of ability but a lack of alignment. Israeli startups routinely court the Israeli Defense Forces as their first customer, building deep feedback loops between operational users and engineers. In contrast, NZ tech companies often target US consumers or enterprise SaaS markets, leaving defense opportunities unexplored. The result? When US allies ask "What have you done for me lately? " they get minimal visibility into NZ's capabilities.

The Software-Defined Battlefield and NZ's Skills

Modern defense systems are essentially distributed computing platforms. The Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) concept, embraced by the US and allies, treats sensors, shooters. And command nodes as an integrated network. This requires expertise in real-time data streaming, low-latency networking, and adversarial machine learning - all areas where New Zealand has strong academic and commercial capabilities. For example, the University of Otago's research into secure multi-party computation has direct applications in coalition data sharing without exposing sensitive sources. Similarly, Auckland-based startups like [CloudCannon](https://cloudcannon com/) (headless CMS) could pivot to content management for defense intelligence briefs, though that's a stretch. More directly, companies like [Naveltek](https://naveltek com/) build simulation software for naval operations. The raw ingredients are there; the missing element is strategic focus.

Building Indigenous Capability: From AI to Quantum

New Zealand can't compete with the US or China in scale of production. But it can compete in niche, high-value areas. Quantum computing is one such domain. The Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies (a Centre of Research Excellence) produces modern research in quantum sensing and communication. In a defense context, quantum sensors can detect submarines or enable unbreakable communications - capabilities that would make a small nation disproportionately valuable. Similarly, New Zealand's expertise in agricultural AI (e, and g, the "Pasture Map" project from Lincoln University) can be transferred to environmental monitoring for defense logistics. The key is to identify dual-use technologies and actively market them to allied defense agencies. A pipeline from NZ universities to US defense innovation hubs like DIU or AFWERX could accelerate adoption.

Cybersecurity: The First Line of Defense

Cybersecurity is perhaps the most immediate area where NZ can contribute. The country hosts the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) and CERT NZ. Which coordinate national cyber defense. Yet the private sector remains fragmented. A coordinated effort to build and export cybersecurity tools - especially for critical infrastructure protection - would directly address Stillwell's challenge. Consider that Australia's cyber sector exports over $2 billion annually, while New Zealand's is a fraction of that. By focusing on niche tools for secure communications (e g., Matrix protocol hardened deployments) or incident response orchestration, NZ firms can carve out a global reputation. The "what have you done for me lately? " question would receive a concrete answer: "We provided the SIEM that detected the APT at the Five Eyes exercise. "

The Economic Case for Defense Tech Investment

Opponents argue that defense tech distorts a country's economy toward military ends. But the modern innovation landscape blurs those lines. The internet, GPS, and touchscreens all originated in defense spending. For New Zealand, investing in defense tech could catalyze a new wave of high-value exports. The NZ Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) estimates that every dollar invested in R&D generates $2. 50 in economic returns. When that R&D targets defense, the multiplier effect extends to geopolitical goodwill. Furthermore, defense contracts provide stable, long-term funding cycles - often 5 to 10 years - that can de-risk startup cash flow. This is especially valuable in post-2023 venture capital climate,, and where private funding is scarceA government-backed defense tech fund, similar to the UK's National Security Strategic Investment Fund, could channel talent into high-impact projects while still allowing civilian commercialization.

Collaboration or Assimilation? NZ's Choice

Stillwell's question implies a binary: either NZ steps up or falls behind. But the truth is more nuanced. Collaboration with US and Australian defense networks is essential,, and but NZ must maintain technological sovereigntyHanding core capabilities to larger allies risks losing independence. The ideal model is asymmetric collaboration: NZ develops unique niche capabilities that allies need but can't easily replicate. For instance, New Zealand's expertise in managing a small, distributed population could inform algorithms for resilient logistics in contested environments. Similarly, NZ's Pacific geography makes it a natural testbed for maritime surveillance drones. By owning these niches, NZ ensures that the answer to "What have you done for me lately? " isn't "We bought your systems" but "We built the system no one else could. "

Practical Steps for NZ Engineers and Startups

Transitioning from commercial software to defense tech isn't trivial. Here are actionable steps:

• Gain clearances early: Apply for NZ Defence Force security clearance if your work touches sensitive data. This is a prerequisite for most allied contracts.
• Understand compliance frameworks: Study the likes of DFARS (US defense acquisition) and NZ Defence Procurement Guidelines. Many startups fail because they treat government procurement as an afterthought.
• Build for dual-use: Design products that can be sold to commercial customers while also meeting MIL-STD requirements for ruggedness or encryption.
• Network with allied innovation units: Attend events like Techstars Autonomy Accelerator (embedded autonomy) or AFWERX engagements. The US has a growing appetite for foreign startup partnerships.
• use open-source foundations: Contributing to projects like HAProxy, WireGuard (by NZ's Jason A. Donenfeld), or Kubernetes security can build reputation that translates into defense contracts.

FAQ

1. What exactly did David Stillwell say to New Zealand?
   He criticized NZ's defense spending and implied that the US expects more tangible contributions, especially in technology, to justify deep alliance cooperation.
2. How can a small country like NZ compete in defense tech?
   By focusing on niche, high-value areas like quantum sensing, cybersecurity, and autonomous systems where quality outweighs quantity.
3. Does defense tech hurt or help the local economy?
   When balanced with commercialization, defense R&D generates high-value exports and stable contracts, benefiting the broader tech ecosystem.
4. What kind of engineering skills are most in demand,
   AI/ML, embedded systems, secure communications,And human-machine teaming - all areas where NZ graduates perform strongly.
5. How quickly could NZ pivot toward defense tech?
   With policy focus and modest investment (e, and g, a $50M defense innovation fund), visible results could appear in 2-3 years, matching the typical startup acceleration timeline.

What do you think?

Should New Zealand treat defense tech as a core part of its national innovation strategy,? Or does that risk undermining its peaceful brand?

How can open-source communities reconcile their collaborative ethos with the secrecy demands of defense contracts?

If you were advising the NZ government, what single technology would you bet on to maximize geopolitical use - quantum computing, maritime AI, or something else entirely?

Conclusion

David Stillwell's blunt question isn't a diplomatic insult but a strategic wake-up call. For New Zealand's technology community, it represents a chance to redefine the nation's global role. By bridging the gap between world-class engineering and defense needs, Kiwi innovators can prove that "what have you done for me lately? " has a compelling answer: we're building the future of allied defense, one commit at a time. The time to act is now. Whether you're a solo developer considering an open-source security tool, or a CTO evaluating defense contracting, the path forward requires deliberate alignment with strategic partners. Let's not wait for the next diplomat to ask the question again. Start shipping code that defends democracy.