Output Expense 15

Standards

Generally for this MCOA:  Training and administrative support will be provided in accordance with NZDF training quality standards as modified with senior staff from the requesting organisation.

Measures

• Performance, in general, will be measured by the degree of satisfaction expressed by the authorities requesting assistance - in accordance with their annual programmes.
• Performance will also be assessed by the regular evaluation of significant issues, the capacity to react to requests for assistance and the provision of adequate support from the limited resources available.

Mutual Assistance Programme:

Standards

Training and technical assistance for the Mutual Assistance Programme (MAP) - anticipated to be in the range of 120 to 180 activities.  Each activity could include formal training, on-the-job training, technical advice, attachments, study, Mutual Assistance training teams (MATT), and exchanges - both in New Zealand and overseas.

Measures

• Complete the MAP country programmes and activities - consistent with the MAP policy objectives and outcomes agreed with the participant defence forces or law enforcement agencies (where appropriate), and that are also consistent with NZDF practices.

• It will include monitoring and analysis of MAP activities within each country programme through various processes, including post-activity reports and evaluation of the training outcomes against identified need.

The MAP delivered 124 out of 168 planned activities, which included assistance to MAP partners via MATTs, technical advisors, NZDF courses, tertiary study, resource provision, exchanges and attachments. The gap between the planned target and actual target was largely attributable to MAP partner countries failing to nominate personnel for courses for which they requested and had reserved places. In some cases, candidates were not accepted as they did not meet the required language standard for courses.

Of the total activities completed, about 60 per cent of that total was undertaken with Pacific MAP partners while the rest was conducted with South East Asian MAP partners. Approximately 70 per cent of the MAP operating and personnel expenditure of about $1.7m was spent on Pacific MAP activities, while the majority of the rest was expended on MAP activities conducted with South East Asian partners.

The main outcomes were:

MAP talks were conducted with the Cook Islands, Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Vanuatu and Vietnam. The MAP talks with Timor-Leste and Vietnam were the first ever conducted with those countries. MAP was also represented at the whole of government security talks held with Vanuatu. At these various talks the NZDF presented five year plans for our MAP partners to adopt and use as a tool for co-ordinating their bids over the next few years.

Talks were also held with other donors under the umbrella of the Quadrilateral Defence Coordinating Group (QUADs) [NZ, Aust, France and USA] to ensure better co-ordination between our respective military assistance programmes in the Pacific.

In December 2008 the NZDF Defence Adviser based in Suva concluded his posting and returned to NZ. The Fiji interim government did not agree to the NZDF replacing the Defence Adviser in Fiji. As a consequence, there is now a Wellington based NZDF Defence Advisor Pacific who is accredited to Cook Islands, Niue, Tonga and Samoa.

Collaboration continues with NZ Police on the provision of training assistance to disciplined forces in the South Pacific.

Following agreement between the NZDF and the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), the NZDF Technical Adviser post in Pulada, Malaysia, concluded in December 2008. Although outside of the MAP, but as a result of this post concluding, a new post has been established for a NZDF officer as Directing Staff at the MAF Staff College, Kuala Lumpur at the Lieutenant Colonel (equivalent) level.

As mentioned above, MAP talks were held with Viet Nam. Apart from this, the only other activity was a delegation which visited NZ to study the NZ whole of government approach to establishing a military role on peacekeeping operations.

Regrettably, they were unable to take up the offer this year (2009) for a position on the NZDF Senior Staff Course (the standard of English language competence being the impediment).

Following re-engagement with Thailand, a modest level of activity has occurred including an officer attending the 2009 NZDF Senior Staff Course.

Special effort has been made to increase MAP engagement with Timor-Leste despite it remaining an operational area for the NZDF. HQNZDF now has policy overview of the five technical advisers assisting the F-FDTL (Armed Forces of Timor Leste). The current roles of the TA’s have been reviewed. It is intended to change one position to an English Language Tutor at the English Language School at Metinano Camp. One limiting factor of getting F-FDTL personnel to NZ is the low level of English language ability. Two highlights from the period of this report have been the graduation of a F-FDTL officer cadet from the NZ Army 2008 Commissioning Course and a MATT to help train and prepare the F-FDTL band for Independence Day celebrations in May 2009.

The Philippines has recorded a significant increase in MAP engagement with 17 Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel attending courses/activities in NZ and two MATTs conducted in country. One of these was a Regional MATT which aimed for attendance from other regional MAP partners (further detail below).

The high level of activity with PNG continues. Two activities deserve highlighting. Firstly, the NZDF involvement with the PNGDF Commercial Support Programme continued including contract compliance training. Secondly, following the review last year of PNGDF naval training by a senior RNZN officer, a long term programme has been implemented and the first PNGDF sailors started a variety of courses with the RNZN this year.

Six MATTs were successfully completed as follows:

Tonga

A NZ Army team conducted First Aid and Combat Survival (medical) training (November 2008). Four members of the Samoan Fire Service also attended.

A NZ Army team conducted report writing and written language training for the Tongan Defence Service (September 2008.)

Papua New Guinea

Four NZDF personnel carried out a review of current contract negotiations and conducted contract compliance training for the PNGDF Commercial Support Programme (April 2009.)

Timor-Leste

Two NZDF specialist personnel conducted band training in support of Independence Day celebrations and also assessed the suitability of any personnel to attend the NZ Army MAP Musician course (May 2009.)

Philippines

A NZ army team conducted Officer Professional Development (leadership) training (September 2008). A combined RNZN/RNZAF team conducted Instructional Techniques training (March 2009). An officer from the Malaysian Armed Forces also attended.

New Zealand Cadet Forces Support:

Standards

Support for the New Zealand Cadet Forces (NZCF) in 2008/09 will involve the conduct of 34 courses for NZCF officers and 47 courses for cadets - amounting to about 2,416 officer training days and 11,085 cadet training days.  Permanent staff includes 27 Tri-Service, Regular Force training and support staff, and 5 civilian administrative staff.  [Note:  Training days do not include community projects completed at the local level].

The NZCF comprises 350 NZCF officers and 3,910 cadets within 102 Cadet Force Units across New Zealand.  The personnel figures fluctuate from month to month, especially at the end of the school year.

Measures

• Meet the training, course and exercise objectives of the NZ Cadet Forces.
• Conduct courses that meet the requirements of the NZQA framework, where appropriate.
• Meet NZDF standards for the administrative support provided to NZCF units.

The effectiveness of the support provided to the NZCF is assessed from the reports of Area Coordinators and Cadet Unit Commanders and feedback from the public, and overall evaluation by the Commandant NZCF.

Support has been achieved for 102 cadet units comprising 401 officers and 3,857 cadets. A total of 2,665 officer training days and 10,885 cadet training days were conducted. This comprised 28 courses for NZCF officers and 41 courses for cadets. The average enrolled cadet numbers during the year was 3,015.

Training delivered by the NZDF to the NZCF has been consistent throughout the organisation, has met the objectives of the NZCF, and where NZQA unit standards are included, met the requirements of the NZQA framework.

The permanent staff support during the year has been maintained at slightly below the establishment of 27 Regular Force and five civilian personnel. The support generally met the standards required although some units received lower than the normal frequency of visits from Area Advisors due to the lower staff numbers.

NZDF delivered training and support to the NZCF has been of a nature commensurate with the civilian and voluntary nature of the NZCF.

Limited Service Volunteer Training:

Standards

Special Training for Limited Service Volunteers, to include 5 courses (each of six weeks duration) for up to a total of 720 unemployed people between the ages of 17 and 25 years for the training year (1 Jul 08 - 30 Jun 09).

Measures

• Complete training courses to standards agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the NZDF and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).

This will include an analysis of the training objectives achieved, the reported post-course employment status of Scheme participants, and feedback from the public and the MSD.

Five courses have been conducted throughout the 08/09 training year with trainees from the fifth course due to graduate 4 July 2009. Course statistics are as follows:

01/09 - 21 Jul – 31 Aug 08

142 Accepted
116 Commenced Training
80 Completed Training
Completion Rate: 69%

02/09 - 13 Oct – 23 Nov 08

160 Accepted
131 Commenced Training
103 Completed Training
Completion Rate: 79%

03/09 - 02 Feb – 15 Mar 09

158 Accepted
114 Commenced Training
87 Completed Training
Completion Rate: 76%

04/09 - 30 Mar – 09 May 09

163 Accepted
130 Commenced Training
97 Completed Training
Completion Rate: 75%

05/09 - 25 May – 05 Jul 09

180 Accepted
132 Commenced Training
81 Completed Training
Completion Rate: 61%

Summary 08/09:

625 Commenced Training
448 Completed Training
72% Completion Rate

Trainees who graduate from a LSV Course will have demonstrated attitudinal and behavioural traits desired by an employer and a level of commitment, motivation and competence. On completion, all trainees receive a course report detailing the activities undertaken and their performance throughout the period.

Graduated trainees will also have demonstrated varying degrees of increased motivation, self confidence, self discipline and initiative which is reported on weekly and visible throughout their period of training.

Under the MOU, 80% of participants who start the course are to successfully complete it. This year’s completion rate, 72%, is lower than expected due to an increase in behavioural difficulties and mental health issues. This has been raised with MSD and has resulted in a psychologist being contracted to provide support during each course for at risk trainees.

There were also a significantly higher number of trainees released from course 5/09 for medical reasons (flu).

Verbal feedback received from MSD departments, families and ex-trainees reflect a positive view on the benefits/outcomes of the LSV Course and of the training conducted.

Service Military Museums:

Standards

For Service Military Museums.  The provision of staff, infrastructure and resources to Service Museums to ensure the collection development, collection management and exhibits of New Zealand’s significant military history to the people of New Zealand, her Armed Forces and visitors to our nation, to sector best practice.  The current Service Museums are at Devonport (Navy), Waiouru (Army), and Wigram (Air Force).  Note:  “Collection management” includes preservation.

Measures

Services provided in accordance with the relevant Trust Deeds and the Memorandums of Understanding between each of the Services and the individual museum trust boards.  For Service Museums, an annual review against Service Museum benchmarks and periodic reviews against the New Zealand Museum Standards Scheme will be conducted.  Performance assessment will be based on feedback from the individual museum trust boards and NZDF command, ‘public satisfaction’ surveys, annual and periodic reviews, and the number of military and civilian visitors per financial year.

Navy Museum

Total visitors to the Navy Museum during the period were 10,325 compared with 6,855 for the same period 07/08 FY. The substantial increase in visitor numbers reflects the Museum recovering from the extended period of closure during 07/08 and the early part of 08/09.

The museum delivered two significant site exhibitions including the very successful “Bomb Gone” exhibition. This outreach exhibition was visited by several thousand visitors and was supported by an extensive lecture and education programme.

The Museum delivered three editions of the heritage journal “The White Ensign”. Each edition, comprising 13,000 copies, was distributed to a broad national and international audience.

The Museum ran a very successful open day at Torpedo Bay during January 2009 with over 1,600 people attending the open day. The main focus during the year has been in the detailed planning and preparations for the redevelopment of the Navy Museum at Torpedo Bay. At the time of writing, construction was scheduled to commence in August 2009.

Army Museum

The project to house the Social History collection in an upgraded facility is in the process of being implemented to provide a more appropriate location for the collection.

Upgrades to the Museum’s security systems are also being implemented. As at the time of writing, the first two stages of this project have been completed.

Governance of the Army Museum is provided by the Trust Board with overall responsibility for the Museum and its activities, and the Executive Management Committee who have delegated responsibility for short term planning and operation. Day to day operation is vested with the Director.

Public satisfaction surveys are run regularly that continue to indicate positive opinions, with an increased public perception and knowledge of the National Army Museum. Total visitor numbers for the reporting year were 52,572, compared to 47,596 for the previous year – an increase of 11%.

Air Force Museum

The Air Force Museum operating budget has been maintained at the same level as previous years but extra funding was provided to assist with upgrading security. Two new posts were established to give much needed extra resource in the collections area.

Services have been provided in accordance with the RNZAF / Museum Trust Board Memorandum of Understanding.

The regular Air Force Museum Qualmark assessment scored the Museum at 100% across five of the seven categories with an overall score of 97%, up 6% on the previous score. The Museum has also qualified for a silver award under the newly introduced Qualmark Responsible Tourism Standards based on its environmental and sustainable business practices.

Visitor numbers of 55,720 are the highest ever and exceed the ten-year average by just over 58%.