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.
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- Undertake analysis of significant issues that have an impact on the Government's defence policy and international defence relations including:
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- The Ministry provided an update of New Zealand's defence policy and international defence relations for the 2004 edition of the New Zealand Yearbook.
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- developments in the international security environment, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
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- A scoping paper on the possible conduct of a review of defence and security issues in Asia has been circulated for comment.
- The Ministry participated in the Seriously Asia Project.
- The Ministry provided policy advice to the Minister of Defence on the appointment of the New Zealand Defence Attaché to Seoul to the position of Rotating Member of the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission.
- The Ministry has provided regular briefings on ASEAN Regional Forum inter-sessional issues.
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- changes in the defence and security policies of key countries such as Australia and the United States
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- A briefing paper was prepared for the Minister of Defence on the key points arising from the Australian Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee report on its 2003 visit to New Zealand.
- The Ministry provided policy advice to the Minister of Defence which identified key issues for the Australia-New Zealand Ministers Meeting held in July.
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- developments in regional security relations
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- The Pacific Defence and Security Policy Review was submitted to Ministers in August 2003.
- Pacific issues were covered in the Pacific Defence and Security Policy Review.
- The Ministry contributed to the Pacific Security Strategy and Framework.
- The Ministry participated in talks in Canberra on the shape of the military contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission in Solomon Islands post-July.
- The Ministry provided policy advice to the Minister of Defence on the composition of New Zealand's military contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission in Solomon Islands post-July.
- The Ministry provided policy advice to the Minister of Defence on the forthcoming visit to Fiji by the New Zealand Defence Force Command and Staff College.
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- deployments of New Zealand Defence Force assets and personnel on United Nations (UN) or other operations
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- The Ministry was actively involved in the development of Cabinet papers and inter-agency policy discussions relating to the deployment of New Zealand Defence Force personnel to Solomon Islands as part of the Regional Assistance Mission in Solomon Islands, and the preparation of a subsequent review paper.
- The Ministry was actively involved in the development of Cabinet papers and inter-agency policy discussions relating to the deployment of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and assets to Iraq and Afghanistan.
- The Ministry was involved in the preparation of Cabinet papers and agreements relating to the deployment of New Zealand Defence Force personnel to the UN Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), the UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), the Sinai Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), the Stabilisation Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina (SFOR), and the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).
- The Ministry was actively involved in the development of advice and a Cabinet paper on options for Operation Enduring Freedom for 2004/05.
- The Ministry provided policy advice to the Prime Minister on New Zealand's involvement in United Nations and other peacekeeping missions.
- The Ministry was actively involved in the development of Cabinet papers on the composition of New Zealand's military contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission in Solomon Islands post-July.
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- the operation of the New Zealand Defence Force Mutual Assistance Programme
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- In 2003, Mutual Assistance Programme talks were held with Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Brunei, and Cook Islands. Mutual Assistance Programme talks with Tonga and Papua New Guinea were held in early 2004.
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- undertake capability reviews in cooperation with the New Zealand Defence Force to identify the options for achieving the Government's defence policy goals and the Ministry of Defence's outcomes, in particular capability reviews for projects from the Long-term Development Plan that have been approved in principle by the Government such as the New Zealand Defence Force helicopter capability and projects necessary to provide a well-equipped land force
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- Policy advice, guidance and resources were provided to the Defence Capability and Resourcing Review.
- The Ministry was involved in the development and writing of the Cabinet papers on options for the replacement of the Air Force's Iroquois and Sioux helicopters; and the following Army projects: Light Operational Vehicles (LOVs), Very Low-Level Air Defence (VLLAD), the Medium Range Anti-Armour Weapon (MRAAW), Special Operations Equipment, and Army Engineering Equipment.
- The Ministry participated in the inter-agency process for a final report back to Cabinet on the Hydrographic Survey Review undertaken by Mr Ross Tanner in 2002. This process included a review of the options for the utilisation of HMNZS Resolution and the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research's Tangaroa.
- The Capability Management Framework became operational and policy advice and support was provided to the governance bodies provided for under the Framework. The Framework is a process of management and governance in respect of the long-term investment in New Zealand Defence Force capabilities.
- Policy advice continues to be provided on the Combat Service Support (CSS) vehicles project; the Joint Command and Control Project; and the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Project.
- The Ministry continues to work on a policy review of the New Zealand Defence Force's Mobile Surgical Response Assets.
- The Ministry was involved in the development of Cabinet papers relating to the disposal of Whenuapai Airbase and the Consolidation of the Air Force at the Ohakea airbase. Policy advice continues to be provided to the Ohakea Project Team of which the Ministry is a member.
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- provide on-going advice during the acquisition phase of projects from the Defence Long-term Development Plan that have been approved by the Government, such as new maritime force vessels, the upgrade of the C-130H Hercules fleet, the acquisition and modification of second-hand Boeing 757 aircraft, the acquisition of the light armoured vehicles, and the upgrade of the mission systems for the P-3 Orion fleet
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- The Ministry provided policy advice on changes to the B757 modification programme and was involved in the development and writing of the associated Cabinet paper and note to Joint Ministers.
- The Ministry provided policy advice on the development of the options for Cabinet concerning the P3 Orion Project, coordinated the interdepartmental consultation, and was involved in the development and writing of the Cabinet paper.
- The Ministry coordinated an extensive consultation programme with agencies on the outcome of Project Protector (1 multi-role vessel, 2 offshore patrol vessels and 4 inshore patrol vessels) and was involved in the development and writing of several Cabinet papers and ministerial notes.
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- provide the policy basis for deployment scenarios for current and new New Zealand Defence Force capabilities
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- Initial work was commenced but held over pending the Defence Capability and Resourcing Review.
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- interface with the New Zealand Defence Force and civilian agencies, for coordinated responses to defence policy and security issues. These will include: Antarctica, arms control and disarmament, maritime patrol and surveillance, and oceans policy
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- The Ministry was involved in ongoing inter-agency discussions on regional security policy.
- The Ministry provided advice and feedback on the Customs paper on the possible acquisition of Customs vessels.
- The Ministry provided advice to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade on arms control and disarmament issues, and particularly on Certain Conventional Weapons issues.
- The Ministry maintained a watching brief on Oceans policy and Antarctic issues.
- The Ministry continues to be involved in the development of options for meeting New Zealand's Short-Mid Range Air Patrol requirements, which is being led by Ministry of Fisheries.
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- manage defence relationships with Australia and other regional countries (including key bilateral meetings between Australian and New Zealand Defence Ministers, and Senior Officials' meetings), and participate in the regional multilateral security dialogues (including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum and Five Power Defence Arrangements Defence Ministers' Meeting.)
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- The Ministry participated in the Australia-New Zealand Defence Co-ordinating Group in Canberra in November and Wellington in April, and coordinated and finalised the Australia-New Zealand Defence Co-ordinating Group report to Ministers. The Ministry also hosted the MAP/Defence Cooperation Programme Talks in Wellington in November.
- The Ministry provided briefings for the following:
- the visit by the Minister of Defence to Japan
- the visit by the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence to Vanuatu and Solomon Islands
- the visit by the Prime Minister and Chief of Navy to Korea for Armistice Commemorations
- the visit by the Prime Minister to Singapore and Vietnam
- the visit by the Chief of Air Force to the United Kingdom and the Middle East
- the visit by the Chief of Defence Force to the South Pacific (Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands and Niue)
- the visit by the Chief of Army to Korea
- the visit by the Chief of Air Force to Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines
- the visit by the Minister of Defence to the United Kingdom
- the visit by the Chief of Army to the United Kingdom, Ireland and Bosnia
- the visit by the Chief of Air Force to the United States
- the visit of the Command and Staff College to Tonga, Korea and Japan
- the visit by the Chief of Defence Force to Italy and Malta
- the New Zealand-China Pol/Mil Talks
- the visit by the Deputy Secretary (Policy and Planning) to Singapore and Jakarta
- the visit by the Deputy Secretary (Policy and Planning) to Australia
- the visit by the Deputy Secretary (Policy and Planning) to Washington, New York, and Ottawa
- the visit by the Chief of Navy to the UK and Normandy
- the visit by the Deputy Secretary (Policy and Planning) to Nadi for the Pacific Islands Forum Security meeting
- the visit by the Minister of Defence to Solomon Islands
- the visit by the Chief of Defence Force to Afghanistan and Iraq
- the visit by the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand to New York
- the visit by the Minister of Defence to Singapore for the International Institute of Strategic Studies dialogue and the Five Power Defence Arrangements Ministers' meeting
- the visit by the Chief of Air Force to the Cook Islands for ANZAC Day
- the visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade to Palau, Marshall Islands, and Solomon Islands
- the visit by the Chief of Army to Singapore and Australia.
- The Ministry provided briefings for and participated in visits by:
- the Armed Forces Supreme Commander of Thailand
- a Vietnamese Parliamentary delegation
- Mr Paul Ellis, Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining
- the United Nations Secretary General's Special Representative to Timor Leste
- Two Peoples Liberation Army generals (General Xu Genchu and Lt Gen Ge Zhenfeng)
- a Peoples Liberation Army naval training delegation
- Republic of Korea naval ships
- the Indian National Defence College
- the Thai National Defence College
- the South African Chief of Defence Staff
- the United Kingdom Chief of General Staff
- the Prime Minister of Fiji
- the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces
- the New Zealand-France Pol/Mil Talks
- the Minister of Defence for Papua New Guinea
- the RAMSI Special Coordinator and other Principals
- the Superintendent of the Philippines Military Academy.
- The Ministry prepared and hosted the Defence Co-ordinating Group meetings with Malaysia and Singapore, and arranged the Senior Executives' meeting with Malaysia.
- The Ministry hosted and provided briefing for the visit by Mr Horie, Director General for International Affairs, Japan Defence agency.
- The Ministry provided policy advice on the possibility of establishing a Defence Attaché in Japan.
- The Ministry provided input into the Cabinet Paper on the normalisation of relations with Fiji and provided advice on Defence re-engagement.
- The Ministry provided advice to the Minister of Defence on developments in Vanuatu and Bougainville.
- The Ministry participated in the holding of Exercise Wyvern Primo 2003.
- The Ministry drafted an arrangement with Brunei for Exercise Veilutaki.
- The Ministry provided briefing for the November 2003 ASEAN Regional Forum Inter-Sessional Group meeting in Beijing.
- The Ministry authored a New Zealand think-piece paper on the inclusion of non-conventional threats into the Five Power Defence Arrangements scenarios exercise.
- The Ministry was actively involved in the talks on the development of the Five Power Defence Arrangements concept paper.
- The Ministry provided briefings for, and participated in, the International Institute of Strategic Studies dialogue and the Five Power Defence Arrangements Ministers' meeting.
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- Provide the following Ministerial services:
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- responses to Ministerial correspondence
- replies to Ministerial correspondence will be actioned within fourteen working days of receipt by the Ministry
planning 200-220 responses per annum
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- 85 Ministerial letters of reply were completed for the reporting year ended 30 June 2004. All responses were actioned within the required time frame.
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- responses to Parliamentary questions
- Parliamentary questions will be actioned within time frames set by Standing Orders of the House of Representatives
planning 150-180 responses per annum
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- 185 Parliamentary Questions were answered for the reporting year ended 30 June 2004. All answers were actioned within the required time frame.
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- responses to Official Information Act requests
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- 28 Official Information Act requests were responded to for the reporting year ended 30 June 2004. Two replies were delayed through consulting external agencies.
- 8 replies were completed in relation to enquiries from the Office of the Ombudsman. All were actioned within the required time frame.
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- Publish policy documents and other information for the public based on an agreed programme.
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- 11 issues of Defence Update were published.
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