I am pleased to present the 2009 - 2012 Statement of Intent of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).
The change of Government in New Zealand brings with it a long overdue review of Defence. The last full review of Defence was completed in 1997, and there was an Inquiry into Defence Beyond 2000 - a Report of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee - completed in August 1999. The previous government issued a Defence Policy Framework, largely based on that report, in June 2000, and that was followed by a Government Defence Statement (A Modern, Sustainable Defence Force Matched to New Zealand’s Needs) in May 2001. A review of Defence (known as Defence Review 09) has already begun and is due for completion and consideration by Cabinet by the end of 2009.
There is little doubt that the NZDF is currently working at or near to full capacity. Its current overseas operational commitments, together with operations and tasks in and around New Zealand in support of other government agencies and the introduction of new and updated equipment, has demanded a total effort by the Defence Force. The dedication of the men and women of our Armed Forces brings great credit to our nation. They continue to do of their very best at home and abroad. What now needs to be questioned is how the Armed Forces can best meet the military capability requirements that the government may require of it and what changes are needed for the future. This is the main focus of Defence Review 09.
Defence Review 09 will provide a fresh look at the capability requirements that shape our defence forces to ensure that they have the right balance for the foreign policy and security requirements of the next decade. Special attention will need to be given to recruiting and retention to ensure that it can meet the tasks we ask it to do. Careful analysis will also be required of the military hardware that will be utilised over the next decade. Several of the major assets that are vital to achieving New Zealand’s defence objectives will reach the end of their economic life toward the end of the next decade. Defence Review 09 will lead to a capital acquisition plan for the next 10 - 20 years.
There is now broad recognition that New Zealand’s defence policy should reflect New Zealand’s independent assessment of its security environment. This consensus has emerged as a result of contemporary foreign policy and defence challenges. New Zealand’s security interests are two-fold. First, we have to ensure security within our own region, the South Pacific. New Zealand takes a lead role in this task, along with our closest defence partner, Australia. The commitments in the region have extended over many years and have required a sensitive approach to building security and trust. Secondly, New Zealand is committed to an open and secure world where trade and commerce can be freely undertaken. It is in our interests that we play our part in building international peace and security - wherever in the world that may be.
Our region - out as far as Timor Leste - has required active, ongoing military involvement to help stabilise countries in difficulty. Many smaller nations are having difficulty in sustaining economic prosperity. It has been in our mutual interests to work together with Australia to secure stability in these nations, and within the region generally. The states of the South Pacific need to be able to see us as a reliable and secure partner and, along with Australia, we should be the first country the South Pacific states turn to when they need assistance.
The security requirements of the region go beyond assisting good governance. There are substantial marine resources to be protected. Terrorism to the north of the region often leads to a flow of refugees into the region. The island states are prone to serious disaster, especially from hurricanes. These kinds of events may well occur more often with climate change. The New Zealand Defence Force is regularly required to assist in search and rescue, and disaster relief. The configuration of the Defence Force has to include the capabilities needed for these purposes.
New Zealand does not confine itself to the South Pacific. We also act in a wider international context where there is a demonstrated need for nations to work together to deal with key points of instability. We do so because New Zealand’s prosperity is crucially dependent on a stable, open world. Major instability is a direct threat to our ability to trade. An open international system does not just benefit places where instability exists; it is the only way to defeat the scourge of international terrorism, by offering opportunity to peoples who feel excluded. Notable examples of the success of New Zealand’s wider engagement is evident in the work of our defence forces in Afghanistan, both in the Provincial Reconstruction Team and in the use of our Special Forces, and successive deployments of an ANZAC frigate to the Gulf region on coalition operations. They clearly show the level of expertise that has been built up within the Defence Force over many years.
The tasks that the New Zealand Defence force are likely to be involved in, whether they be in peacekeeping or combat, can only be performed by well-trained and equipped military personnel. There is no longer an idealistic view that defence personnel are simply police officers in camouflage uniform. The Defence Force must have a sufficient range of capabilities to deal with any reasonable foreseeable contingency within our region. Outside our region, we are best suited to providing high-quality contributions that are internationally valued and respected. Inevitably these will be focused and specific. It is essential that we allocate sufficient resources so our defence forces are sustainable over time, and are able to deliver the level of security our country needs.
The above requirements lead to the need for a Defence Force that has: deployable land forces (for both combat and peacekeeping), the means to deploy those forces at short notice, agility and versatility once deployed, and the patrol and surveillance capability of the oceans surrounding us, both for military and civilian tasks. A balance of force elements from the Navy, Army and Air Force is required to perform the maritime, land and air tasks required of the defence force in the years ahead.
Until some robust defence policy can be laid against the results of Defence Review 09, I support the priorities and strategic initiatives currently being pursued by the NZDF and as contained in this Statement of Intent. The next three years covered by this Statement of Intent will include the initial implementation of the defence policy resulting from the Defence Review. I look forward to being involved in moving the New Zealand Defence Force into the future to better achieve the wider security outcomes desired by all New Zealanders.
Hon Dr Wayne Mapp
Minister of Defence
27 April 2009
Contents | Next