This section of the report provides a general overview of the NZDF, while more detailed information is available from the websites, publications and libraries listed later in this section.
NZDF Mission
The primary mission of the NZDF is:
“To secure New Zealand against external threat, to protect our sovereign interests, including in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and to be able to take action to meet likely contingencies in our strategic area of interest.”
Linkages to Government Policy
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 and arrangements; and
- the contribution of forces to the United Nations or other organisations 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
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.
Currently, there are five broad strategic outcomes for national security. 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. These outcomes, objectives and examples of NZDF contributions are shown in the following table.
| Government’s Strategic Outcomes, and Related Defence Policy Objectives |
Examples of Contribution by NZDF |
|
Strategic Outcome:
A secure New Zealand including its people, land, territorial waters, EEZ, natural resources and critical infrastructure.
Defence Policy Objective:
To defend New Zealand and to protect its people, land, territorial waters, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), natural resources and critical infrastructure.
|
- Protecting our EEZ resources
- Supporting other government agencies and the community
- Explosive disposal response
- Counter Terrorist response
- Civil Defence Assistance
- Sovereignty protection
- Aid to civil power
|
|
Strategic Outcome:
A strong strategic relationship with Australia in support of common interests for a secure and peaceful region.
Defence Policy Objective:
To meet our alliance commitments to Australia by maintaining a close defence partnership in pursuit of common security interests.
|
- Partnering regional security assistance
- Combined exercises and readiness training
- Closer Defence Relations
- Visits and development of doctrine
|
|
Strategic Outcome:
A political environment in the South Pacific in which national economies, societies and identities continue to evolve in a climate of good governance and internationally agreed standards of compliance with human rights.
Defence Policy Objective:
To assist in the maintenance of security in the South Pacific and to provide assistance to our Pacific neighbours.
|
- Assisting Pacific Island nations
- Peace Support Operations
- Disaster relief
- Helping protect Pacific Island nations’ EEZ resource and sovereignty
- Security assistance
- Protecting New Zealand nationals abroad
|
|
Strategic Outcome:
An expanding role in the regional dialogue of South East and North East Asia and, where appropriate, a role in regional security consistent with New Zealand’s interests and capabilities.
Defence Policy Objective:
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 Arrangements (FPDA).
|
- Peace Support Operations
- Humanitarian Support
- Regional Security Arrangements
- Combined exercises and readiness training
- Defence diplomacy and regional engagement
|
|
Strategic Outcome:
A global approach which supports New Zealand’s place in an international community committed to the maintenance of human rights and the collective security responsibilities enshrined in the United Nations (UN) Charter, and which strengthens New Zealand’s international economic linkages.
Defence Policy Objective:
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.
|
- Combat Operations
- Peace Support Operations
- Humanitarian support
|
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