Policy and Planning Division
The Policy and Planning Division provides advice on the Government's defence policy and the military capabilities needed to achieve government objectives. It has both Ministry of Defence and New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) staff.
The Policy and Planning Division has four functions:
- formulating policy advice on meeting current defence needs and interests
- providing advice on New Zealand's international defence relations, and participating with the NZDF and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the management of these relationships
- formulating advice on policies and military capabilities to meet future security needs
- co-managing a strategic planning system (known as the Capability Management Framework) with the NZDF.
To accomplish these roles the Policy and Planning Division has three branches: Planning, International and Analysis.
Dr Brook Barrington is Deputy Secretary of Defence (Policy and Planning).
The Policy and Planning Division's three branches, described below, report through the Deputy Secretary (Policy and Planning) to the Secretary of Defence, and report to both the Secretary and the Chief of Defence Force on international defence relations matters.
International Branch (INB)
The International Branch of the Policy and Planning Division comprises personnel from the Ministry of Defence and the NZDF. Created in early 2000, the International Branch is responsible for managing New Zealand's bilateral and multilateral defence relations within the context of the Government's defence policy. It reports to the Secretary of Defence and the Chief of Defence Force.
The Branch has four functions, which are to:
- play a leading role in shaping and managing New Zealand's international defence relationships, consistent with the Government's policy goals and objectives
- undertake strategic-level analysis to provide advice on policies and actions for the effective development and sustainment of New Zealand's international defence relations, particularly Closer Defence Relations (CDR) with Australia
- undertake timely analysis and assessments of current issues to assist the Secretary as principal civilian adviser to the Government on defence issues
- consult and provide advice where relevant to ensure New Zealand's international defence relations are taken into account by other agencies and departments.
International Branch manages a programme of bilateral and multilateral defence relationships in support of the Government's defence policies and international defence diplomacy initiatives. It has prime responsibility for strategic level defence relationships such as CDR with Australia, New Zealand's South Pacific neighbours, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA). The Branch also manages the Mutual Assistance Programme, which develops and implements NZDF bilateral relations training programmes.
International Branch is headed by Paul Sinclair (New Zealand Defence Force).
Planning Branch (PLB)
The Planning Branch undertakes the following tasks:
- strategic level assessment and advice, including on current issues, to assist the Secretary's role as principal civilian adviser to the Government on defence issues, and to provide advice to the Government on options for meeting future defence and security needs
- provision of expertise, analysis and assessment of military capability issues, capability policy development and reviews
- consultation and advice to ensure defence policy considerations are represented in the whole-of-government process.
Planning Branch is headed by Wayne Higgins.
Analysis Branch (ANB)
The Analysis Branch contributes technical analysis and advice as part of the Ministry's overall process of developing policy advice. As required, it also provides purchase advice and performance monitoring services to the Minister of Defence.
The Branch was established in 2005, as part of the Defence Sustainability Initiative (DSI) and is headed by Jim Olson.
Contact Policy and Planning Division
Policy and Planning Division
Ministry of Defence
P O Box 12703
Molesworth Street
Wellington 6144
New Zealand
Phone: +64 4 496 0611
Fax: +64 4 496 0859
Email: info@defence.govt.nz
