The AUKUS alliance is said to be on a race to expand further into the Pacific before the three countries head to the polls for potentially significant elections.
Politico is reporting that Japan and Canada are in line to join pillar 2 of the pact between the U.K., U.S., and Australia.
The rush is said to be fuelled by concerns of a potential Donald Trump presidency and the isolationist foreign policy position he may take.
Defence Minister Judith Collins says there is "no guarantee" that New Zealand would be invited to join pillar 2, which involves extensive collaboration on military technology.
Politico's Stefan Boscia spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
