People, Structure & Leadership

The Chief of Defence Force has two roles: the professional head of the Armed Forces and the Chief Executive of the NZDF who is the principal military adviser to Ministers. The Chief of Defence Force is responsible to the Minister of Defence, under the Defence Act 1990, for carrying out the functions of the NZDF, its general conduct, and the efficient, effective and economical management of its activities and resources.

The way  Defence is structured is different to Australia and United Kingdom. We have multi-layered requirements for the Secretary of Defence and the Chief of Defence Force to consult each other on defence matters and on specific functions. In practice, this means that while the Secretary and Chief of Defence Force have separate accountabilities, they work closely together.

The primary roles and responsibilities of the Secretary are to:

• formulate advice on defence policy (in consultation with the Chief of Defence Force)
• prepare defence assessments, including a review of different options capable of achieving the Government’s policy goals (in consultation with the Chief of Defence Force)
• procure, replace or repair major defence equipment for use by the Defence Force, and
• arrange for audits and assessments of the Defence Force and the procurement function of the Ministry, as agreed with the Minister of Defence.

To carry out these roles, the Chief of Defence Force draws on the operationally focused advice provided by the Chiefs of Service, the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand and senior members of civil staff. Service Chiefs are the Professional Heads of Service and responsible for delivery of their Service activities to ensure their Force Elements are trained, equipped and prepared for operational employment. The activities prepare soldiers, sailors, aviators to operate in uncertain environments that can deteriorate without warning. 

The Service Chiefs and the Commander Joint Forces are the primary advisors to the Chief of Defence Force on matters relating to their respective environmental domains. While the Service Chiefs are responsible for generating and sustaining NZDF military capabilities, the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand is responsible to the Chief of Defence Force for employing these capabilities on operations and major exercises.

Each of our three Services are responsible for raising, training and sustaining a skilled and capable force that can be reliably deployed at agreed levels of capability and readiness. To do this the Services, led by their respective Chiefs, manage significant capabilities and infrastructure to ensure their people and equipment are ready when needed.

When our forces are deployed on operations or major exercises, they report to the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand (COMJFNZ). Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand (HQJFNZ) handles the planning and delivery of these activities, bringing together relevant maritime, land, and air components in response to the situation at hand. In simple terms, we have the right Force, in the right place, at the right time.

The New Zealand Defence Force needs to be able to handle the most complex missions. Our three Services are key, but much more happens behind the scenes to make us ready for any and every situation. These roles and functions provide support to the wider organisation. Our military personnel and civilian subject matter experts manage this work that we refer to internally as Enabling Services. It includes security, intelligence, health services, HR, logistics, corporate planning, and oversight.

Defence Logistics Command supports the three Services and deployed force elements. DLC works from all camps and bases and Wellington Headquarters.

• DLC has over 2000 personnel working within these organisations:
• Headquarters Defence Logistics Command
• Defence Logistics Command (Maritime)
• Defence Logistics Command (Land)
• Defence Logistics Command (Air)
• Defence Equipment Management Organisation
• Defence Supply Chain GroupDefence Shared Services Group

DST is provides NZDF and MoD with research, science, and technology support. They operate from Auckland's Devonport Naval Base and NZDF Headquarters in Wellington.
 
DST's main focus is supporting Defence priorities, but they help other government agencies.
 
Visit the Defence Science & Technology website to find out more.(external link)

GEOINT New Zealand (GNZ) is part of Defence Intelligence. Its supports NZDF with:

• Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) leadership
• products, services and solutions to meet New Zealand's all-of-government
• international requirements to ensure the nation's safety, security and success.

The data GNZ gathers is available for free through their Data Service.
 
Visit the GEOINT Data Service to find out more about the data support they offer.(external link)

Trentham Military Camp in Upper Hutt is home to the Command and Staff College.

It provides our people with the opportunity to learn and up-skill through courses, such as the:

• Joint Advanced Command and Staff Course
• Joint Intermediate Command and Staff Course
• Joint Warrant Officer Advanced Course
• Joint Operations Planning Course.
• Trentham Military Camp is home of the Defence Library. The Defence Library helps our people with research and learning.

The original Defence Library has been closed since the Kaikōura earthquake in 2016. Its books and service reports are being stored at Trentham Military Camp in Upper Hutt.

 Veterans’ Affairs upholds Aotearoa New Zealand’s responsibility to honour our veterans. They do this by serving the veteran community and giving policy advice to the Government.
 
To find out more about their support programmes, visit the Veterans' Affairs New Zealand website (external link)