The Intermediate Outcomes and sub-outcomes provide the vital links between the Government’s Defence Policy Objectives, the Main Defence Outcome and NZDF Outputs.
For each of the Intermediate Outcomes listed below (and sub-outcomes, where applicable) two main aspects are covered in sufficient detail to clearly indicate how the NZDF intends to work towards achieving the Main Outcome:
- The desired state of affairs from a national perspective for the wider security of New Zealand and its people (the National Perspective).
- The narrower NZDF contribution showing how the everyday employment of the NZDF outputs across a spectrum of activities, over time and together with outputs from other related government departments and agencies, achieve the Main Outcome (the NZDF Contribution).
Intermediate Outcome 1
Secure New Zealand, including its people, land, territorial waters, exclusive economic zone, natural resources and critical infrastructure. This intermediate outcome is divided into the sub-outcomes of:
- Protected from Terrorism
- Protected from Transnational Illegal Activities
- Protected persons and infrastructure from Civil Instability and Disasters.
National Perspective. National sovereignty requires that New Zealand assume the prime responsibility for direct national tasks such as the protection of our territory and citizens, the capability to monitor and protect resources in areas that are under New Zealand jurisdiction, the countering of any threat posed by terrorism or acts of sabotage, the welfare of our people and our economic livelihood.
NZDF Contribution. The NZDF contributes to this outcome through the delivery of annual outputs that provide prime or major contributions to sovereignty protection, deterrence, incident or crisis response, including counter-terrorism, civil defence and other emergencies. The NZDF will seek to deter unwanted intrusions by demonstrating its ability to operate throughout New Zealand, its offshore islands, its EEZ and the Southern Ocean and Ross Dependency, and being able to respond to tests to our sovereignty. The vessels being delivered under Project Protector (the MRV, OPVs and IPVs) will greatly enhance the NZDF’s ability, in concert with others, to operate in these areas. The NZDF will monitor activities in the region to provide warning of any adverse developments, and maintain levels of preparedness in order to respond to contingencies. Within the capabilities maintained the NZDF will provide assistance to the civil power and in the event of natural disasters provide assistance to restore vital services and essential amenities. The NZDF contributes to this outcome by the deterrent effect of a credible Defence Force and the demonstrated ability to take action where appropriate. This includes the maintenance of capabilities sufficient to demonstrate to others a commitment to national defence and to secure the support of others. As a by-product of the outputs the NZDF accomplishes public support tasks for other government departments and agencies and the community; provides opportunities for training and rewarding careers, and provides a source of skilled personnel who join the national work force as values-based citizens at the end of their engagement.
Intermediate Outcome 2
Reduced risks to New Zealand from regional and global insecurity. This intermediate outcome is divided into the sub-outcomes of:
- A Secure, Peaceful and Stable Australia
- A Secure, Peaceful and Stable South Pacific
- A Secure and Stable Asia-Pacific Region
- A more Secure and Stable World
A Secure, Peaceful and Stable Australia
National Perspective. Australia is New Zealand’s closest and most important security partner. Our alliance commitments to Australia are met by maintaining a close defence partnership in pursuit of common security interests. The two countries are better able to influence events in the region of joint interest if they operate together rather than separately.
NZDF Contribution. The NZDF contributes significantly to this outcome through the delivery of annual outputs that support regional security arrangements, and provides a capacity to act if Australia is threatened. Cooperation between the defence forces of the two countries is aided by capabilities that are interoperable, and reflects New Zealand’s alliance commitments to Australia. The capacity of the two countries to act together is enhanced by combined exercises, personnel exchanges and cooperation under the Closer Defence Relations (CDR) agreement. CDR includes coordination of regional assistance, cooperation in operational planning, combined military missions, reciprocal force augmentation and collaborative logistic support. The end state is a strong strategic relationship with Australia in support of common interests for a secure and peaceful region.
A Secure, Peaceful and Stable South Pacific
National Perspective. New Zealand’s major interest in the South Pacific centres on the South Pacific states with which it has significant cultural, ethnic or historical ties, and in some cases constitutional obligations (the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau). Our interests are affected by the continuing ability of Pacific governments to provide a stable environment for economic growth and social development. The successes of these governments will shape the region’s stability and migration patterns, and limit calls on New Zealand for economic or military assistance, including, where required, assistance in peace processes through diplomacy, mediation and peacekeeping. Consequently we have a substantial interest in the South Pacific’s stability and prosperity and its good governance. We help by providing aid through MAP and ODA, disaster relief, obligations for search and rescue and emergency medical evacuation, and assistance with the protection of its natural resources, including surveillance of their EEZs.
NZDF Contribution. The NZDF contributes to this outcome through the delivery of annual outputs that provide contributions to regional engagement, security assistance, developmental assistance, resource protection, and disaster relief. The NZDF will effect regional engagement by participation in security co-operative and confidence-building measures such as visits to, and exercises and activities with, and within, South Pacific countries. The provision of training and development assistance throughout the region, under the auspices of the Mutual Assistance Programme (MAP), also contributes to this outcome. Further contributions to this outcome are derived from assisting in the surveillance of EEZs of South Pacific states, civil aid activities and assistance with relief in the event of any natural or humanitarian disasters in the region. The NZDF also contributes to this outcome by maintaining capabilities sufficient to respond to requests for assistance from South Pacific states in the event a serious breakdown of law and order, and to provide protection for, and if necessary assist in the evacuation of, New Zealand nationals in civil emergencies in the region. New Zealand’s contribution to resolving the recent problems in the Solomon Islands is a good example of our commitment to this intermediate outcome.
A Secure and Stable Asia-Pacific Region
National Perspective. The costs of any future trouble in the Asia Pacific region could be high. The new interdependence of interests means these costs will be carried not only by those countries directly involved in dispute but also by their neighbours. As a beneficiary of a stable and secure environment, New Zealand must also bear some of the responsibility and costs of keeping it that way. The Government will continue to support the FPDA, build upon existing co-operative bilateral defence relations with Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, and develop a broader-based defence dialogue with other nations in East Asia. New Zealand’s security policy in East Asia will include active participation in important regional fora, such as APEC and the ASEAN Regional Forum, a constructive approach to regional human rights initiatives, and, where necessary and feasible, mediation and peace support. As evidenced by New Zealand’s support and assistance during the relief operations following the devastation caused by the 2004 Boxing Day earthquake-induced tsunami, New Zealand is prepared to offer military and other aid to the region in such circumstances. A November 2007 Government paper (Our Future with Asia) by MFAT, emphasises that it is critical that New Zealand remains attuned to, and plays an active role in the trends and developments in this vibrant region.
NZDF Contribution. The NZDF contributes to this outcome through the delivery of annual outputs that provide contributions to peacetime engagement. This includes military-to-military contacts, military-to-diplomatic contacts, security assistance, confidence-building measures, support of regional security arrangements and conflict deterrence. The NZDF will effect regional engagement by multilateral exercises under the aegis of the FPDA, by bilateral exercises with regional countries, and by participation in regional fora. Contributions to the outcome include Defence Liaison and Attaché Staffs at key New Zealand Embassies and High Commissions, support of UN missions and demining programmes, visits by senior defence staff and port visits. The provision of training assistance under the auspices of the MAP also contributes to this outcome. The NZDF also contributes to this outcome by the deterrent effect of capabilities that are interoperable with other relevant armed forces and available as a contribution to the regional efforts aimed at deterring aggression. The NZDF will play its part in defence and security dialogue in the region (as covered in Our Future with Asia - under the banner of “Raising the tempo of our relationship with Asia”) through Defence Attachés and Advisers in support of the Heads of New Zealand Missions in a selected range of Asian nations.
A More Secure and Stable World
National Perspective. New Zealand expects to benefit from the globalisation of trade, information, communications and technology. These benefits can be best secured when there is an environment of peace, stability and shared prosperity. Constructive involvement will not only ensure that New Zealand is a welcome participant in the benefits but will also contribute to New Zealand’s image and standing in the world community. This will allow New Zealand to have a voice in processes that shape international economic, diplomatic and security developments. The Government will continue to base its global engagement on active support for, and participation in, UN and appropriate multi-national peace support operations. New Zealand will continue to make as full a contribution to peace support operations as is reasonably possible. New Zealand will not engage in military cooperation or exercises with the armed forces of states which sanction the use of armed forces to suppress human rights. This does not preclude New Zealand involvement in UN peace support or other appropriate multinational peace support operations where the armed forces of such countries are also involved.
NZDF Contribution. The NZDF contributes to this outcome through the delivery of annual outputs that provide contributions to collective security operations, peacekeeping, and peace-enforcement conducted by the United Nations and other relevant multinational agencies. The NZDF will provide the Government with options for contributing to collective security operations by maintaining forces at specified levels of preparedness. Interoperability (the ability to interchange units and to operate effectively with forces from other states) will be maintained through participation in international military standardisation and safety fora, multinational exercises, and the exchange of personnel with the armed forces of Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Qualified NZDF personnel are deployed overseas for initiatives such as de-mining, arms control support, and inspections that contribute to international order. As a by-product of these outputs the NZDF is able to deliver assistance for international humanitarian relief.
Intermediate Outcome 3
New Zealand values and interests advanced through participation in regional and international security systems. This intermediate outcome is divided into the sub-outcomes of:
- Collaboratively Develop and Shape the International Security Order
- Effective Participation in the International Security Order.
National Perspective. New Zealand has always been outward looking and taken an active interest in developments in other parts of the world. New Zealand is prepared to speak out on international security issues and, when applicable, offer constructive suggestions as to resolution and provide personnel and resources to aid in effecting relevant change.
NZDF Contribution. In concert with other relevant government agencies, the NZDF supports this outcome through a range of activities, including participation in confidence-building, defence diplomacy and coalition-building. Also in concert with other relevant government agencies, the NZDF contributes to this outcome through participation in or support of a range of security treaties, military-related fora and programmes and standardisation organisations. New Zealand is a member of the Canberra Pact and FPDA and actively participates in the ASEAN Regional Forum, APEC and the Pacific Islands Forum. The NZDF has either formal membership of or at least observer status on: the Australia, British, Canadian, and American Armies’ (ABCA) Programme (New Zealand recently becoming a full member of this organisation); the Air and Space Interoperability Council (ASIC), The Technical Cooperation Programme (TTCP); NATO Standardisation Agency (NSA); the Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States Navies (AUSCANNZUKUS); the Multinational Interoperability Council (MIC); the Combined Communications-Electronics Board (CCEB); Pacific Area Senior Officer Logistic Seminar (PASOLS), and so on.
Intermediate Outcome 4
New Zealand is able to meet future national security challenges.
National Perspective. This intermediate outcome was selected on the basis that it is vital for the NZDF to plan for the future, especially for sustainable future capability requirements. This outcome is directly related to the Defence Policy Framework and the Government’s Statement of 8 May 2001 – A Modern, Sustainable Defence Force matched to New Zealand’s needs. While comment could be made that planning for the future should be routine, the development of this Intermediate Outcome helps to emphasise the importance of “futures planning/future capability requirements”.
NZDF Contribution. It is essential that the nature of defence capability planning be seen and understood in the long-term. Given the very high cost of major equipments that contribute to military capability and the life expectancy of such equipment (frigates, aircraft and armoured vehicles out to 20(+) years, even before life extensions are considered) planning must have a long-term horizon. It is equally essential that the human resource base of the NZDF, the most significant element of military capability, be seen in the long-term. Given the higher range of technologies, the sophistication of modern platforms, the time required to become proficient in their use, and doing more with fewer personnel, demands high calibre Service personnel who are prepared to make the Services a fulltime career. The tools to support this longer-term capability planning are included in the Defence Capability Management Framework (CMF). The NZDF and the MoD use a variety of strategic planning tools to assess future capability requirements. An examination of defence policy and current capabilities identifies capability gaps. Additionally, many capabilities/equipments have known obsolescence dates. Planning tools include enduring strategic guidance, evidence-based decision support tools, strategic assessments, capability goals matrices and research/lessons learned. These are all defined in detail in the CMF. An annual capability prioritisation conference, co-chaired by the Secretary of Defence and Chief of Defence Force, will result in a recommended future capability assessment for the Government to note, and a current capability plan, the LTDP, for the Government to approve. The whole process is one of internal evaluation - measuring options, managing risk, assessing policy and making judgements. Where necessary, external evaluation will be conducted by, or at least involve, agencies such as the MoD Evaluations Division, Office of the Auditor General, and Treasury.
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