The International Defence Relations Branch (IDR) works within the Defence Policy and Planning Unit (DPPU) of the Ministry of Defence. The DPPU reports to both the CDF and Sec Def, and consists of co-located NZDF and MoD policy staff. The DPPU provides advice on the government's defence policy and goals, the military capabilities needed to achieve those goals, international defence relations and overseas commitments. The Unit is comprised of two branches: IDR and Strategic Policy.
Within the overall policy framework, IDR is responsible for policy advice on, and oversight and management of, New Zealand's international defence relationships and the NZDF's international activities, including:
- analysing international and regional security developments of strategic relevance to New Zealand
- monitoring developments in New Zealand's security relationships, and formulating policy responses with respect to those developments
- sponsoring and coordinating NZDF participation in international defence forums
- contributing to the formulation of defence strategies in accordance with national security policy.