I think we're all well aware of what a fine combat aircraft the P3 makes. Why, just look at it's ability to evade Chinese radar and go toe to toe with a 40 year old F8 aircraft. One can only assume that this will not be accomplished and that our maritime defences will be allowed to further erode. She got an apology from the military for that one, but her further statements in the matter were simply inflammatory. The Government has accepted that New Zealand's future requirements for maritime patrol include a wide range of non-military functions.
Defence policy is only partially an economic and political decision, it is also a military one.