Accountability Arrangements
The Chief of Defence Force, as ‘Chief Executive’ of the New Zealand Defence Force, is responsible to the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs for the financial management of Veterans' Affairs New Zealand under the Public Finance Act 1989 (as amended by the Public Finance Amendment Act 2004). The General Manager, Veterans' Affairs New Zealand, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Force, is responsible to the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs for the delivery of the Veterans' Affairs New Zealand outcomes and outputs.
As Veterans' Affairs New Zealand is a semi autonomous body within the New Zealand Defence Force, and as the New Zealand Defence Force is not a Department of the Public Service under the First Schedule of the State Sector Act 1988, Veterans' Affairs New Zealand does not come under the auspices of the State Sector Act 1988. Veterans' Affairs New Zealand is not, therefore, subject to the accountability and monitoring frameworks and processes under the State Sector Act 1988.
The New Zealand Defence Force is, however, subject to the provisions of the Public Finance Act 1989 (as amended by the Public Finance Amendment Act 2004) and Veterans' Affairs New Zealand is subject to the accountability and monitoring frameworks under that Act.
Statutory Appointment of the Secretary for War Pensions
Section 4 of the War Pensions Act 1954 allows for the appointment, under Section 61A of the Defence Act 1990, of a Secretary for War Pensions. The Secretary for War Pensions has statutory responsibility for the Administration of the War Pensions Act 1954.
Statutory Independence of the Chief of Defence Force
Section 8 of the Defence Act 1990 gives the CDF sole responsibility for:
- Command of the Navy, Army and Air Force through the respective Service Chiefs; and
- Command of any joint force, either directly or through a joint force commander.
Consequently, nothing in this Statement of Intent shall affect the statutory independence of the Chief of Defence Force from Ministerial direction with regard to:
- The issue and promulgation of Defence Force Orders (DFOs);
- All aspects of military discipline;
- The appointment or enlistment of members of the Armed Forces and the appointment of civil staff of the Defence Force;
- The terms and conditions of service for members of the Armed Forces, and the conditions of employment of civil staff of the Defence Force; and
- The establishment and functions of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.
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