The Defence Policy Framework, issued by the Government in June 2000, provides the initial framework for future decisions about military capabilities, resources and funding. It articulates the Government’s goals and priorities for defence, and was substantially guided by, and builds on, the Defence Beyond 2000 Report.
Subsequent Government statements on defence, such as those of 8 May 2001 (A Modern Sustainable Defence Force Matched to New Zealand’s Needs), 11 June 2002 (the Defence Long-Term Development Plan - and subsequent updates), and 2 May 2005 (The Defence Sustainability Initiative) add detail to the Defence Policy Framework. The Defence Sustainability Initiative (DSI), in particular, sets the NZDF on a recovery and growth programme out to 2014/15.
The Defence Policy Framework sets out New Zealand’s security interests and lists five key Defence Policy Objectives. These 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.
Defence Outcomes
While the NZDF is constitutionally the sole provider of military forces, it is naturally not the sole contributor to Defence Outcomes. The Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, NZ Police, NZ Customs Service, and other departments and agencies also contribute to the outcomes.
The Main Outcome was selected on the basis that it encapsulates both the local (New Zealand) and international intent of the Defence Policy Framework and makes specific mention of the “future”. It includes a focus on abilities to generate security and protection actions and recognises that New Zealand has national interests that materially affect the security of the nation.
The Intermediate Outcomes are compatible with the Defence Policy Framework and subsequent Government statements on defence policy. They are focused on subordinate results that, if achieved, influence materially and directly the achievement of the Main Outcome. An illustrative cascade from Government Direction through Policy and Outcomes to Output delivery and Strategic Initiatives is shown in the adjacent diagram.
Previous | Contents | Next