Under this output class the Minister of Defence will purchase advice on defence policy matters. This includes advice on changes in the strategic environment, defence and security policies, goals and outcomes and strategies for their achievement and the military capabilities required to meet defence policy goals, along with the broad resource implications and the relative merits and risks associated with proposed capability options. Included in this output class is management of international defence relations, including closer defence relations with Australia and the enhancement of regional security through participation in multilateral defence and security forums, and the development of bilateral defence relationships. It also includes: responses to ministerial and parliamentary questions; Official Information Act enquiries and Ombudsman correspondence; and public affairs advice.
The outcome of this output class is to contribute by the formulation of effective policies to the protection of New Zealand and its external interests.
Target |
Delivered |
- Undertake analysis of significant issues that have an impact on the Government’s defence and security policies
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- The review on Information Operations was completed in August 2001.
The review of New Zealand’s Pacific defence and security policy was completed in April 2002. A paper on post-11 September implications for defence policy was completed in March 2002 and discussed with agencies. A supplement drawing out the key themes of the discussions has been substantially completed. |
- Undertake capability reviews to identify the options for achieving the Government’s defence policy goals
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- The Maritime Forces Review was completed in November 2001.
The Hydrographic Survey Review was completed by the independent chair, Mr Ross Tanner, in April 2002. Final comments from agencies were conveyed to the Secretary of Defence in June 2002. Input on policy concerning the mission systems upgrade for the P-3 Orion aircraft and the upgrade/replacement of the fixed wing transport aircraft (C-130 Hercules and Boeing 727s) is being provided in the development of options for the Government’s consideration. The Government’s Long-Term Development Plan for the New Zealand Defence Force was completed by the Ministry of Defence and New Zealand Defence Force in June 2002. Work is underway on developing management and costing systems for the LTDP. The review of the Naval Medical Service was completed by the Evaluation Division under Output Class 2.
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- Manage defence relationships with Australia and other regional countries
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- Pacific:
Mutual Assistance Programme (MAP) talks were held with:
- the Cook Islands;
- Samoa;
- Tonga; and
- Vanuatu.
South East Asia:
Bilateral security and defence talks, including MAP talks, were held with:
- Malaysia;
- Singapore;
- Philippines;
- Thailand; and
- Brunei.
North Asia:
The Ministry hosted bilateral military-military talks with Korea, followed by a delegation from the Korea National Defence University. High Level Visits:
New Zealand hosted a number of high level visits including:
- Lieutenant General Peter Cosgrove, Australian Chief of Army;
- Mr Dennis McNamara, Deputy Head of UNTAET (East Timor);
- Lord Bach, the United Kingdom Under Secretary of State and Minister of Defence Procurement;
- Admiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh, the United Kingdom First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff;
- Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, the United Kingdom Chief of Defence Staff;
- Congressional Delegation from the United States led by Chairman Henry Hyde, House of Representatives, International Relations Committee;
- General Edwin Smith, the United States Commanding General US Army Pacific;
- General Qian Shugen, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, People’s Liberation Army;
- Mr Kyogon Hagiyama, Vice Minister for Defence, Japan;
- General Takegouchi, Chairman of the Joint Staff Council, Japan Self Defence Force.
Visits by New Zealand:
The Secretary of Defence:
- attended the ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting in Hanoi;
- attended the Asian Aerospace Exhibition in Singapore;
- made an official visit to China; and
- visited Kuala Lumpur for the Senior Executives Meeting with his Malaysian counterpart.
There were high-level visits by the New Zealand Defence Force to:
- Australia;
- Afghanistan;
- China;
- South Korea;
- East Timor;
- France;
- Brussels;
- United States;
- United Kingdom;
- Middle East; and
- throughout the South Pacific.
Briefing notes:
Briefing notes were prepared for visits by the:
- Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister of Defence to Australia;
- the Minister of Defence’s visits to China and Japan;
- the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade visits to East Timor;
- the Prime Minister’s visit to Washington;
- Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade to Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and
- the military-to-military talks with France and the European Union.
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- Participate in the regional multilateral security dialogue
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- BRITANZ (Britain, Australia, New Zealand) Principals’ meeting:
- The Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Ferguson, hosted the British Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, and the Australian Chief of Defence Force, Admiral Barrie, for the biennial BRITANZ Principals’ meeting in Blenheim in April 2002.
ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF):
- Participated and contributed to one Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) and two Intersessional Group (ISG) meetings.
- Preparations have begun for New Zealand to co-host the next ISG meeting in Wellington, November 2002.
- The New Zealand Defence Force has been represented at all the meetings of the ASEAN Regional Forum Heads of Defence Colleges and Institutions. The Commandant of the RNZAF Command and Staff College attended the 5th meeting in Tokyo in August 2002.
Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA):
- The Minister of Defence attended the Ministerial meeting and ASEAN 30th anniversary celebrations in July 2002.
International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS):
- The Minister of Defence attended the first meeting in Singapore in June 2002 of Asia Pacific Defence Ministers organised by the London based IISS.
Forum Regional Security Committee Meeting:
- There was representation at the annual meeting held in Nadi, Fiji.
Japan:
- Ministry staff attended the Japanese Defence Agency (JDA) Forum for Defence Authorities in the Asia Pacific Region.
- There was involvement in the annual National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS) Asia-Pacific Security Seminar.
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- Host the annual meeting of Australian and New Zealand Defence Ministers and senior officials
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- Respond the following Ministerial servicing products:
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- Ministerial Correspondence.
Draft replies to ministerial correspondence will be provided within fourteen working days of receipt by the Ministry
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- 239 Ministerial letters of reply were completed. Two were outside the timeframe: one was held over so that a standard reply to correspondents could be prepared on the disbandment of the air combat force, the other was late due to an administrative oversight.
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- Parliamentary questions. Parliamentary questions will be actioned within time frames set by Standing Orders of the House of Representatives
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- 186 Parliamentary Questions were answered. All were within the timeframe.
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- Official Information Act requests.
Official Information Act requests will be actioned within statutory requirements
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- 18 Official Information Act requests were responded to. One response lay outside the timeframe due to a delay in material being provided by another department.
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- Produce publications in accordance with an agreed programme
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- 9 issues of Defence Update were published.
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