The Defence Policy Framework, issued by the Government in June 2000, provides the initial framework for future decisions about military capabilities, resources and funding. It articulates the Government’s goals and priorities for defence, and was substantially guided by, and builds on, the Defence Beyond 2000 Report.
Subsequent Government statements on defence, such as those of 8 May 2001 (A Modern Sustainable Defence Force Matched to New Zealand’s Needs), 11 June 2002 (the Defence Long-Term Development Plan - and subsequent updates), and 2 May 2005 (The Defence Sustainability Initiative) add detail to the Defence Policy Framework. The Defence Sustainability Initiative (DSI), in particular, sets the NZDF on a recovery and growth programme out to 2014/15. The DSI is discussed in more detail later in this SOI.
The Defence Policy Framework sets out New Zealand’s security interests and lists five key Defence Policy Objectives. These are to:
- defend New Zealand and to protect its people, land, territorial waters, EEZ, natural resources and critical infrastructure;
- meet our alliance commitments to Australia by maintaining a close defence partnership in pursuit of common security interests;
- assist in the maintenance of security in the South Pacific and to provide assistance to our Pacific neighbours;
- 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; and
- contribute to global security and peacekeeping through participation in the full range of UN and other appropriate multilateral peace support and humanitarian operations.
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