I am pleased to present this Statement of Intent of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).
The Government’s Defence Policy Framework of June 2000, the Government Defence Policy Statement of 8 May 2001 and the Defence Sustainability Initiative of May 2005, supported by the most recent update (October 2006) of the Defence Long-Term Development Plan (LTDP), remain the cornerstones of New Zealand’s defence policy. That policy will continue to be the driving force in building a modern, professional and well-equipped Defence Force, and will continue to be the focus of much hard work within the Ministry of Defence and HQ NZDF for several years.
The Government has set clear goals, priorities and funding commitments for the Defence Force. As Minister of Defence I have a responsibility, on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, to ensure that the investments we are making in Defence will produce the agreed outputs which the Government can call on to deploy in support of New Zealand’s foreign and security policy aims; whether it be in a peace support, counter-terrorism or combat role.
The contribution of individuals and force elements of the NZDF to various missions around the world continues to be the prime operational focus of the Defence Force. With major deployments to Afghanistan, the Solomon Islands and Timor Leste, as well as maintaining many smaller missions around the world, 2006/07 was a very busy year. There appears to be no let-up in our operational commitments for 2007/08. As I have stated on many occasions, our servicemen and women on these operational deployments acquit themselves well and bring credit to New Zealand. At the same time the NZDF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, continues to progress the projects initiated under the Defence Sustainability Initiative (DSI), launched in May 2005, and to improve operational capabilities under the Defence Long-Term Development Plan (LTDP).
The “foundations” phase of the ten-year DSI moves into the “construction” or “growth” phase at the end of 2007/08. During the growth phase (2008 to 2010) it is expected that personnel numbers across the NZDF will continue to grow through improved recruiting and retention, the backlog of deferred maintenance will be significantly reduced, the future structure of the Army will be in the initial stages of implementation, the corporate capabilities of HQ NZDF will be well established, operational capabilities will have been enhanced, and the restoration of contingency reserve stocks will be substantially completed. These are ambitious targets but, given a continuation of DSI annual funding increments, careful management of resources and the continued application of efficiency and effectiveness by the NZDF in its day to day activities, they are achievable.
During the three-year period 2007/08 to 2010/11 major milestones in the current LTDP will have been achieved. By March 2008 the two Boeing 757-200 strategic transport aircraft will have been modified to provide for a cargo-carrying capability and have upgraded avionics. All seven vessels under Project Protector (the MRV - HMNZS CANTERBURY, the two OPVs - HMNZS Ships OTAGO and WELLINGTON, and the four IPVs - HMNZS Ships ROTOITI, HAWEA, PUKAKI and TAUPO) will have entered service by mid-2008. By October 2010 all five C-130 Hercules aircraft (on life-extension upgrade) and all six P-3K2 Orion aircraft (mission systems, communications and navigation systems upgrades) will have re-entered service. As announced last year, the period 2010 - 2013 will see the introduction into service of the replacement helicopters, both the medium utility (NH-90) and light utility helicopters to replace, respectively, the Iroquois and Sioux. During the period up to 2010/11 the project to consolidate the Air Force at Ohakea will have moved forward significantly. It is expected that, subject to continued LTDP funding, the priority for the 2007/08 and 2008/09 period will be on the construction of facilities for No 3 Squadron (new utility helicopters) and No 6 Squadron (Seasprite helicopters), including operations, training and support facilities, hangarage and maintenance facilities, hard-standing and services. From February 2007 the staffs of HQ NZDF have enjoyed their new purpose-built accommodation in Aitken Street, Wellington (the new Defence House). All this continues to move us toward our stated goal of a modernised, well-equipped and sustainable Defence Force.
The NZDF will continue to face many management challenges. While many of these have been and are being addressed under the DSI, others will require more time and effort. The reorganised Defence Headquarters, including a Planning Branch and Organisational Support Branch, revised governance arrangements - including closer working relations between the NZDF and MoD - the production of a robust strategic planning framework, NZDF Strategic Plan, Strategic Human Resource Planning Framework, programme management and performance management systems were all significant starts in the 2005-2007 period. The high priority I have placed on building robust processes for the allocation of resources within the NZDF has seen an encouraging start. This will continue to be an area that requires close attention in the years to come. Commensurate with this is the requirement to strike an appropriate skills balance between civilian and military staff in senior management positions.
Under the Whole of Government approach, the NZDF will continue to work closely with other security-related departments and agencies. The NZDF’s working relationships with, for example, the NZ Customs Service, NZ Police and Ministry of Fisheries, under Multi-Agency Operations and Tasks, will take on increased importance as the new vessels for the Navy are introduced into service from this financial year. The arrangements for the allocation of naval vessels to support these agencies, and the associated control and coordination, must be robust, visible, effective and efficient.
This Statement of Intent expands on the above matters and continues to signal the Government’s long-term commitment to a comprehensive approach to security. I have every confidence that the NZDF will continue to contribute significantly to defence outcomes for the benefit of all New Zealanders.
In accordance with Section 39(2)(b) of the Public Finance Act 1989 I certify that this Statement of Intent is consistent with the policies and performance expectations of the Government.
Hon Phil Goff
Minister of Defence
18 April 2007
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