Letter of transmittal
From: Mr John Coles
To:
Mr John McKinnon
Secretary of Defence
Lt. General Mateparae
Chief of Defence Force
10th September 2008
Dear Secretary and CDF,
HMNZS CANTERBURY- Independent Review
I have completed my review into the acquisition and introduction into service of HMNZS CANTERBURY and forward my report for your consideration.
My key findings are that the ship will be able to meet almost all the NZDF's original performance specification; that some limitations in its military functions can be corrected by relatively small additional expenditures; some operating limitations will have to be accepted; and that the ship is intrinsically safe.
I have found that some of the processes by which Defence governed and managed the acquisition of HMNZS CANTERBURY were deficient and recommend these can and should be strengthened.
I am confident in respect of HMNZS CANTERBURY, that an appropriately governed and resourced get well programme will provide the NZDF with a cost effective, versatile and valuable military capability throughout its service life.
My ability to meet the terms of my commission from you has been greatly assisted by my review team colleagues, John Clayton and Captain Graham Baxter.
Finally, the frank and open way in which Ministry of Defence, Navy and NZDF personnel have engaged with my team has been professional and faultless – I wish to record my personal thanks to each of them.
Yours sincerely,
John Coles CB FREng
