The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has military officers based in some New Zealand High Commissions and Embassies overseas whose role is to provide liaison between New Zealand defence interests and those of the nation in which they reside. A major task of these people is to obtain information useful to New Zealand, and to present information which New Zealand wishes to be transmitted to that country. They have a general mandate to carry out activities which enhance the image of New Zealand.
Where are Defence Attaches Located?
Defence Attaches (DA) are resident in 16 countries and accredited to many more. Locations include the obvious ones like Australia, the UK and the US, and less obvious ones like Indonesia, Republic of Korea and Papua New Guinea. Recent additions are Tokyo and Riyad.
What do Defence Attaches Do?
From an industry viewpoint, attaches have several roles:
- To learn of equipment and materiel needs of the host nation, and convey that information to NZ for action as NZ industry sees fit;
- To convey information about NZ industry capability and specific products to the Defence Forces of the nation in which they operate;
- To assist NZ industry in its marketing efforts.
In all cases, the last one in particular, Defence Attaches work closely with NZ Trade and Enterprise staff.
How to make the best use of Defence Attachés
A New Zealand company can use a DA to develop business opportunities in their region as follows:
- You can ask the DA if he or she knows of any particular opportunities in their region in your line of work. This could be as general as “the XXX DF is always seeking better sources of supply for ………….” to the very specific “A tender is about to be issued for ….”
- You can ask the DA for names and addresses of people you could most profitably meet during a visit.
- You can ask the DA to pass your publicity material on to people who are most likely to have an interest in it.
- You can ask a DA to comment on a visit programme you have prepared, or help you develop one if you really don’t know where to start.
- You can, and indeed should, keep Defence Attaches advised of any new developments in your company’s products.
Defence Attaches are restricted by their priorities in what they can offer. They are not usually able to host visits, in the sense of making detailed arrangements and “walking you around” but will help with facilitation in every way they can.
It is not normal for the NZDF to publish listings of names and addresses of all Defence Attaches, but they may be contacted through either the NZ Embassy/High Commission in the country in which you are interested, or contact Deputy Director Logistic Support, HQ NZDF Phone +64 4 819 2334
Overseas Defence Attaches Based in New Zealand
Most other countries have a similar network of Defence Attachés, so it follows that most countries in which you have an interest are represented in NZ, although some DAs accredited to NZ are based in Canberra or elsewhere. The French DA, for example, is based in Noumea, but travels to New Zeland regularly. These DAs have the interests of their own countries as their prime objective, and are keen to learn of new initiatives which can be of benefit to them.
For further information:
Contact the NZ Defence Attaché in the country in which you are interested through the NZ High Commission or Embassy. Addresses are published on the MFAT web site www.mfat.govt.nz
This site also has addresses of High Commissions and Embassies accredited to NZ.
The addresses of NZ Trade Commissioners are available on the NZ T & E web site www.nzte.govt.nz NZ Trade and Enterprise can also provide information for exporters through its area managers based in NZ. Access these people through the same web site.