The New Zealand Defence Force’s focus over the next three years will continue to be in the Pacific, with an increasing emphasis on Asia, predicts new Defence Minister Phil Goff.
"But we will always be ready to deploy much wider than that, and obviously (the NZDF deployment to) Afghanistan is critical to the campaign against terrorism. I think our focus will continue to be on the Pacific because we can really make a difference there, and it’s our area of first responsibility. The Asia-Pacific region is always going to be relevant to us, and has been for sometime."
Mr Goff says his six years as Minister of Foreign Affairs served him well for the Defence portfolio in that it gave him the opportunity to visit most of the NZDF deployments around the world, and see for himself how and where the defence force operates.
"That has given me a hugely positive impression of the way in which our defence force operates, their competency, their courage and their ability to develop rapport with the local people in the countries where they work. I think that is, to a large extent, what distinguishes New Zealand forces from the forces of other countries. I keep getting feedback, particularly in the Pacific, that New Zealand defence personnel treat people with respect, and are down to earth and friendly. And international organisations like the United Nations ask for New Zealand troops because they know when they are tasked with something they will do it appropriately and well."
He is also positive about the acquisition of new equipment for the NZDF, and applauds decisions made in recent years to focus financial resources to develop capacities that can be carried out well, rather than spread money thinly across the surface.
He has seen the Army’s light armoured vehicles and light operational vehicles in action, at the recent Army exercise, Silver Warrior.
"Good equipment is one of the factors that can build up morale and encourage recruitment - if you put someone into a job and they’re dealing with antiquated and inadequate equipment, then they can never be fully happy with what they’re doing. Reasonable wages and working conditions are of course another factor. People will want to join the defence force if they feel what they are doing is valued, not just by the government but by the population as a whole."
The Defence Sustainability Initiative, a $4.6 billion injection of funds over the next 10 years, will enable the defence force to plan ahead, which it has not been able to do for some time, says Mr Goff.
"We must ensure, though, we have the capacity and capability to manage the way in which we utilise those resources in the most cost effective and efficient way. We know that if the defence force says it is going to do something operationally it will happen, and it will be done well. What we have to do now is create that same level of excellence in the way we manage our resources. I think we’re ahead of other defence forces throughout the world, but we have to continue to strive for excellence in the management, in particular the financial management and administrative responsibilities, of the defence force.
"Building capacity for security forces in countries such as Timor Leste and Afghanistan will continue to be important so they can carry on in the longer term once New Zealand peacekeepers are no longer there, says MrGoff.
"And so will be increasing our ability to be interoperable with other groups, in particular the Australians. We don’t have to be the shadow of Australia, we don’t have to agree with Australia on everything, but in the larger picture we have shared strategic interests, and our cooperation in the Pacific is important if we are to improve the results we need.
"Working closely with Australia we have the ability to make a real difference in the Pacific. It’s not just defence forces, it will be defence forces working in conjunction with police, with NZAID, with maybe (the departments of) Corrections and Customs, so that we’ve got a truly collaborative approach to helping a country achieve stability and security."