// Defence of New Zealand
The responsibility for the conduct of Defence matters in New Zealand directly involves several Government agencies.
The principal ones are:
- Executive Level - Through the portfolio of the Minister of Defence.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Advice to Government on New Zealand's place in world. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.
- The New Zealand Ministry of Defence - Advice to Government on Defence policies, strategies and resources required to meet the defence requirements. Ministry of Defence website.
- The New Zealand Defence Force - Implementation of Defence policies and strategies.
New Zealand's Defence Policy in the 21st Century
In November 1999, the incoming Labour lead Coalition Government commenced a new approach to defence matters as one of its key policies. The Defence Policy prior to that date had been based on a major review conducted in 1990 ( The Defence of New Zealand) and a subsequent Review (The Shape of New Zealand's Defence) in 1997. Parliament's Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee conducted an inquiry into Defence policy Beyond 2000 in 1999.
The new Government's approach to defence has been substantially guided by, and builds on, the 1999 Defence Beyond 2000 Report. The inquiry process provided opportunity for wide public involvement and debate on defence issues and priorities. The current New Zealand Government believes that the report provides a sensible foundation for building a lasting, long-term consensus on defence of New Zealand.
A strong Defence Policy is one aspect of New Zealand's overall foreign and security policy. There is a partnership between the countries foreign and defence policies which are aimed at securing New Zealand's physical, economic, social and cultural well being, defending our strategic interests and meeting the countries regional and global responsibilities.
The Government's Defence Policy Objectives
The new government has set five key objectives for defence policy:
- To defend New Zealand and to protect its people, land, territorial waters, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), natural resources and critical infrastructure;
- To meet New Zealand's alliance commitments to Australia by maintaining a close defence partnership in pursuit of common security interests;
- To assist in the maintenance of security in the South Pacific and to provide assistance to our Pacific neighbours;
- To play an appropriate role in the maintenance of security in the Asia-Pacific region, including meeting our obligations as a member of the Five Power Defence Arrangement (New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore);
- To contribute to global security and peacekeeping through participation in the full range of UN and other appropriate multilateral peace support and humanitarian relief operations.
To meet the above principles the Government is conducting a Defence Capability Review to clearly define the need for the appropriate mix of resources, and to prioritise the purchasing of new or replacement equipment. An outline of what the Government has already committed itself to, can be found on the Government Executive website.
RNZAF Strategic Plan and Goals