Defence Review Consultation Summary of Submissions
Executive Summary
This report summarises the themes from the consultation process undertaken by the Ministry of Defence as part of the Defence Review. Contributions to the Review were collected from submissions and consultation meetings from the public and Defence Force personnel in the course of 2009. While many submissions came from individuals, other contributions come from businesses, local government and a range of organisations. Many submitters provided detailed and well-considered submissions suggesting interest in, and support for, the Defence Force and its future development.
Submitters held a range of views in respect of whether New Zealand is likely to be in a benign or unstable security environment over the next 35 years. However, virtually all agreed that the defence of New Zealand and its interests is the first priority, although they differed over how widely they defined both 'New Zealand' and 'interests'. In addition to military roles and security-related roles such as Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) patrols, most also saw significant roles for the Defence Force working with a broad range of Government agencies in civil defence and humanitarian relief.
Submitters also provided a breadth of views as to how the Defence Force should prioritise its efforts in and around New Zealand, as well as in different international security environments. While a good number believed that the Defence Force should be able to support coalition and relief efforts wherever these are needed around the world, more believed the balance should be toward the Asia-Pacific and/or South Pacific regions. Consultation with allies and the availability of capabilities were seen as important factors in determining the roles the Defence Force should undertake in different security environments.
Australia was clearly identified as New Zealand's major security partner and many encourage the Defence Force to focus on developing capabilities that are interoperable with and complementary to those of the Australian Defence Force. The United States was also identified as an important global and regional security partner and many wish to see greater cooperation with it in the defence area.
Some submitters identified opportunities to restructure the Defence Force either by merging it with the Ministry of Defence or by integrating the Services together and centralising support services. More were concerned about how to organise major procurement projects, who to involve, and how to enhance the outcomes. There was also support for greater involvement of New Zealand businesses in acquisitions and supply of services. These submitters believed there were mutually beneficial opportunities for private sector participation in financing, developing, owning and operating the Defence Force's infrastructure.
Many submitters wished to see the Defence Force provided with more funds to enable it to develop organisationally and in terms of depth and breadth of capabilities. Investment in personnel in terms of pay and conditions, education and training, and career development was also seen as important for managing recruitment and retention. Submitters also supported greater investment in the Territorial and Reserve Forces and believed there should be greater integration with the Regular Force. Some also saw benefits from investment in Cadet Forces.
The Defence Review has provided the first opportunity in 12 years for broad-based consultation on long term defence policy. Defence policy is generally a complex and highly specialised area and the 10 questions provided to submitters were both broad and challenging. The time taken by submitters to express their expectations, aspirations and ideas for defence policy and the future of the Defence Force is greatly appreciated.
