The Defence Act 1990 provides for armed forces to be raised and maintained for
- the defence of New Zealand and the protection of its interests, whether in New Zealand or elsewhere;
- the contribution of forces under collective security treaties, agreements or arrangements; and
- the contribution of forces to the United Nations or other organizations or states for operations in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter.
The Act also allows the Armed Forces to be made available for the performance of public services and assistance to the civil power in time of emergency, either in New Zealand or elsewhere.
New Zealand's Defence Policy
The Defence Policy Framework, issued by the Government in June 2000, highlights the Government’s goals and priorities for defence and provides a framework for future decisions about military capabilities, resources and funding. It has been supplemented by the Government Defence Statement of May 2001 in regard to a Modern, Sustainable Defence Force matched to New Zealand’s needs.
Defence is one component of New Zealand’s foreign and security policy. While the NZDF is constitutionally the sole provider of military forces, it is not the sole contributor to strategic outcomes for national security. A range of other Government Departments and Agencies, including for example the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Customs and Immigration Services, the Government Communications Security Bureau and the Ministry of Fisheries, all contribute to promoting and protecting New Zealand’s national security.
In the Government’s Defence Policy Framework five broad strategic outcomes for national security are endorsed. From these, a defence policy objective is set for each outcome. In achieving these objectives, the NZDF makes a range of contributions: it maintains operationally prepared forces for use by the Government and it carries out operational missions in accordance with Government direction. The outcomes and objectives follow.