New Zealand’s defence policy has been undergoing a major evolution since the end of the Cold War. We are now clearly in a new era with new and demanding challenges. Over the last decade there has been a substantial evolution in defence. While there may be some changes in focus announced as a result of the current White Paper on Defence, generally, New Zealand’s security interests / Defence Policy Objectives 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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