The NZDF adheres to the five elements of performance measurement; namely, quantity, quality, timeliness, cost and, where applicable, location. With the exception of NZDF Output Expenses 1, 6, 15 and 16, where conventional measures are used, quantity concerns the force structure itself (i.e. personnel and equipment) which contributes directly to the output by providing operational forces (i.e. Navy ships, Army units and RNZAF aircraft) which can be called on for operational purposes.
Quality, timeliness and location manifest themselves as the preparedness of the force element (actual Level of Capability) as defined within readiness (timeliness and quality), combat viability, deployability, and sustainability (quality) relative to specified Employment Contexts (location).
Audit and assessment of the Defence Force is overseen by:
- the Defence Evaluation Board
- the NZDF Audit and Risk Committee
and undertaken by:
- the Controller and Auditor General
- the Ministry of Defence Evaluation Division
- the NZDF Directorate of Risk and Assurance
- the Inspector General, NZDF
- the Service Chiefs, Commander Joint Forces New Zealand (COMJFNZ) and Operational Commanders / Component Commanders.
The Controller and Auditor General provides Parliament with independent assurance through the audit of the NZDF Annual Report and occasional audits of aspects of the NZDF’s performance in accordance with the Public Audit Act 2001.
The Secretary of Defence has statutory responsibility for arranging for the assessment and audit of any function, duty or project of the Defence Force. Coordination between the MOD and the NZDF in this area is maintained through the Defence Evaluation Board, which comprises the CDF, the Secretary of Defence and a representative of the Controller and Auditor General. The Defence Evaluation Board approves the evaluation programme of work on behalf of the Minister.
The Ministry of Defence Evaluation Division, while part of the Ministry, performs a statutorily independent function, as set out in the Defence Act 1990. The Evaluation Division carries out assessments and audits of any function, duty or project of the NZDF, under s.24(2) of the Defence Act. In particular, the Ministry of Defence Evaluation Division conducts Output Evaluations which examine NZDF Outputs for consistency with defence policy, and whether the Outputs are being delivered in a quantity and quality that meet policy objectives. The statutory role of the Evaluation Division also includes audits of the Ministry’s activities relating to the procurement of major military equipment.
The NZDF Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) is chaired by the Chief Financial Officer, NZDF. The NZDF ARC is a forum for the consideration, discussion and communication of NZDF risks. It monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of internal control and risk management activity across the NZDF.
The NZDF Directorate of Risk & Assurance provides independent assurance to the CDF, the Service Chiefs and COMJFNZ that the NZDF has in place effective and efficient systems for the management of risk. The Director Risk and Assurance reports to the CDF and the ARC.
The COMJFNZ, as Inspector General of the NZDF, provides military capability evaluation through the NZDF Operational Preparedness Reporting System (OPRES). Output performance delivery is evaluated in both quantity (force structure) and quality (preparedness) terms with emphasis on the quality dimension. The Inspector General reports the level of capability of force elements for military tasks as designated within the NZDF Output specifications against the Key Measurement Areas of Preparedness. The three Service Chiefs, the COMJFNZ and Operational Commanders / Component Commanders are responsible for attaining the activity levels required to achieve their levels of capability and response times; that is, the process measures. Together, the Inspector General/COMJFNZ and Service Chiefs are responsible for reviewing activity levels and levels of capability to ensure there is a consistent link between the two.
The Inspector General also monitors and evaluates the NZDF OPRES and provides an independent audit function of the OPRES as an evaluative system.
The Service Chiefs, COMJFNZ, and Operational Commanders / Component Commanders conduct Operational Evaluations of units in accordance with their own programmes.
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