• developments in the international security environment, especially in the Asia-Pacific region

• The Ministry prepared a geopolitical environmental scan to inform other defence policy work.
• The Ministry provided input to New Zealand's Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum annual security outlook.
• The Ministry provided analysis and advice on the response to riots in Solomon Islands.
• The Ministry provided analysis and advice on the breakdown of law and order in Timor-Leste.
• The Ministry provided analysis and advice on the conflict in southern Lebanon and the safety of New Zealand's United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation observers (UNTSO).
• The Ministry participated in the Australia /France/ New Zealand/United States quadrilateral meeting in Sydney.

• changes in the defence and security policies of key countries such as Australia and the United States

• The Ministry closely monitored the United States Global Strategic Review and the comments of partners in the region.
• The Ministry provided policy briefs on 'United States/Japan: Transformation and Repositioning in Asia' and the 'United States Armed Forces Transformation and the Quadrennial Defence Review'.

• developments in regional security relations

• The Ministry contributed to the inter-agency group which administers the Pacific Security Fund.
• The Ministry provided advice on defence re-engagement with Fiji.
• The Ministry provided input to the Proliferation Security Initiative Response Manual.
• The Ministry prepared a Japan Defence Engagement Paper.
• The Defence Attaché - Middle East appointment was established.
• The Ministry provided advice on Five Power Defence Arrangements policy development through participation in the June meeting of member Defence Ministers.
• The Ministry provided advice on defence re-engagement with Indonesia.
• The Ministry monitored developments in the ASEAN Regional Forum; in particular the defence dialogue process.

• deployments of New Zealand Defence Force assets and personnel on United Nations or other operations

The Ministry was involved in the preparation of Cabinet papers and submissions relating to:

• The deployment of New Zealand Defence Force personnel to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands.
• The possibility of New Zealand Defence Force Engineer Support to a New Zealand AID Corrections Project in Santo.
• Operation Enduring Freedom.
• The Multinational Force in the Sinai.
• The Strategic Review of Peacekeeping.
• The possible deployment of New Zealand Defence Force personnel to Sudan.
• The deployment of additional New Zealand Defence Force personnel to the Regional Assistance Mission in Solomon Islands.
• The deployment of additional New Zealand Defence Force personnel to Timor-Leste.
• The rollover deployment of New Zealand's contribution to the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).
• The possible deployment of additional New Zealand Defence Force personnel to Sudan.
• The continued deployment of New Zealand Defence Force personnel to the United Nations Mission in Korea (UNCMAC).
• The continued deployment of New Zealand Defence Force personnel to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO).

• the operation of the New Zealand Defence Force Mutual Assistance Programme

• The Ministry was involved in providing policy advice on the Mutual Assistance Programme.
• The Ministry discussed defence assistance with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
• The Ministry participated in Mutual Assistance Programme talks with Timor Leste.

• 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 Defence Long-term Development Plan (LTDP)

• Policy advice, guidance and resources were provided to the Defence Sustainability Initiative and the Defence Funding Package Implementation project.
• The Ministry provided advice on the Army Configuration Review, which is in preparation.
• The Ministry was involved in a review of the Defence Long-term Development Plan (LTDP) and re-prioritisation exercise which will be reported to Cabinet.
• The Ministry was involved in preparing the 2006 public update of the Defence Long-term Development Plan (LTDP).
• The Ministry coordinated work to revise the New Zealand Defence Force's Employment Contexts, which are used to measure preparedness to undertake military tasks.
• The Ministry was involved in the development and writing of Cabinet papers on: the Joint Command and Control capability; the Boeing 757 Modification Programme; and a follow-up Improvised Explosive Device Disposal capability paper.
• The Ministry was involved in providing policy advice on the Land Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance project.
• A combined Ministry and New Zealand Defence Force team commenced work on the Defence Force Health Capability project that includes the Ministry mobile medical review.
• The Ministry was involved in the provision of policy advice, and the development of Cabinet papers, relating to the consolidation of the Air Force at the Ohakea airbase.
• The Ministry was involved in updating Cabinet on the Medium Utility Helicopter and Training/Light Utility Helicopter projects.
• The Ministry provided policy advice on aircraft self-protection capabilities, especially for the P3 Orion and C130 Hercules aircraft.
• The Ministry provided advice on the Direct Fire Support Weapon (Area) project.
• The Ministry provided advice on navy projects.
• The Ministry was involved in the provision of policy advice, and the development of a Cabinet paper, on the feasibility of modifying the Boeing 757s for use in supporting Antarctic operations.

• provide on-going advice during the acquisition phase of projects from the Defence Long-term Development Plan (LTDP) that have been approved by the Government, such as Project Protector vessels, the upgrade of the C-130H Hercules fleet, the acquisition and modification of the second-hand Boeing 757 aircraft, the upgrade of the mission systems for the P-3 Orion fleet, the acquisition of new helicopters and the acquisition of weapons and engineering equipment for the Army

• The Ministry provided reports on:
  • Project Protector vessels, including interagency preparedness for the introduction of the vessels
  • Improvised Explosive Device Disposal capability.
• The Ministry provided advice on the P3 Orion Systems Upgrade project and the Joint Command and Control system.
• The Ministry provided advice, including to Officials Domestic and External Security Committee (ODESC), on the helicopter capability project.
  

• interface with the New Zealand Defence Force and civilian agencies for co-ordinated responses to defence policy and security issues. These will include: Antarctica, arms control and disarmament, maritime patrol and surveillance, and oceans policy and trans-national criminal activity
  

• The Ministry provided advice to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on arms control and disarmament issues, and particularly on Certain Weapons Convention related issues.
• The Ministry provided an annualised update on arms control and disarmament issues.
• The Ministry, in conjunction with the New Zealand Defence Force, provided policy input to the Ministry of Environment's Ocean Policy Review.
• The Ministry provided input for an assessment being undertaken of Antarctic support provided by the New Zealand Defence Force.
• The Ministry was involved in the development of options for meeting New Zealand's Short-Medium Range Aerial Patrol requirements, which is being led by the Ministry of Fisheries.
• The Ministry provided a policy brief on the implications for New Zealand's defence policy of natural disasters.
• The Ministry, in conjunction with the New Zealand Defence Force, is reviewing the Capability Management Framework.
• The Ministry completed a science and technology review of its role in Defence.
• The Ministry provided advice to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on New Zealand's Pacific Fisheries Strategy.
• The Ministry provided input to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade-led Ministerial submission regarding World War Two Chemical Weapons disposal.
• The Ministry contributed significantly to the Defence Sustainability Initiative Programme, which is being led by the New Zealand Defence Force. This programme consists of around 17 separate projects, each of which is intended to address significant issues identified by the Defence Capability and Resourcing Review.
• Other Defence Sustainability Initiative projects to which the Ministry made a significant contribution include:
  • Organisational Structure Review
  • Capability Management Framework
  • Corporate Planning Framework
  • Corporate Performance Management Systems
  • Human Resources Strategy
  • Knowledge Management Framework
  • Information Management Framework
  • Housing and Accommodation Assistance Policy
  • Army Configuration Review
• The Ministry has led the work on the Defence Sustainability Initiative -Ministry of Defence Policy Capability project, which is now completed. This project defined the composition of a new "Strategy and Capability Analysis" team within the Ministry's Policy and Planning Unit that will restore identified weaknesses in the Ministry's overall policy capability. The team will consist of a Director and up to six advisers. The Director and four advisers are already in place.
• The Ministry is leading the Defence Capital Asset Management Practice Review (DCAMP), which is being undertaken in conjunction with the New Zealand Defence Force, with input from Treasury and the State Services Commission. This exercise is scheduled for completion by the end of September 2006.
• The Ministry is leading the work on the Defence Sustainability Initiative -Definition of the Ministry of Defence Purchase Advice Function project. This project was delayed by the Defence Capital Asset Management Practice Review and is now scheduled for completion by the end of August 2006.

• The Ministry was involved in the Australia-New Zealand Ministerial Meetings held in May and the Australia-New Zealand Defence Coordinating Group meeting.
• The Ministry finalised and signed the Mutual Logistic Support Arrangements agreement with Malaysia.
• The Ministry provided advice for the Pacific Security Strategy Review led by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
• The Ministry drafted a discussion paper on renewing defence engagement with Indonesia.
• The Ministry provided briefing and conducted the bilateral Defence Coordinating Group and Senior Official Meetings with Malaysia.
• The Ministry provided briefing for the Five Power Defence Arrangements Consultative Committee.
• The Ministry provided advice on defence engagement with Japan.
• The Ministry hosted a visit by the Singapore Permanent Secretary for Defence.
• The Ministry provided briefing for the Forum Regional Security Meeting in Fiji.
• The Ministry provided briefing and conducted the bilateral defence talks with Canada.
• The Ministry provided briefing and conducted the bilateral defence talks with Japan.
• The Ministry provided briefing and conducted the Britain, Australia and New Zealand (BRITANZ) talks.
• The Ministry provided briefing and participated in the Shangri-La Dialogue.
• The Ministry provided briefing and participated in the Five Power Defence Arrangements Ministerial Meeting.
• The Ministry provided briefing and attended the Proliferation Security Initiative exercise, Pacific Protector, and the Operational Experts Group meeting in Miami.
• The Ministry was involved in providing briefing and attending the ASEAN Regional Forum Defence Officials' Dialogue, Security Policy Conference and Senior Officials' Meeting.
• The Ministry provided briefing for the inaugural Singapore-New Zealand Strategic Dialogue.
• The Ministry provided the following briefings:
  • The visit by the Director-General of the Multinational Force in the Sinai.
  • The visit by the Minister to the Middle East.
  • The visit by the Minister to the United Kingdom and Europe.
  • The visit by the Chilean Chief of Army designate.
  • The visit by the Commander of United States Central Command.
  • The visit by the Commander of the United States Pacific Command.
  • The visit by the South African Navy Inspector-General.
  • Visit by the Air Component Commander to the Middle East.
  • The visit by HMNZS Te Mana to India, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Brunei.
  • The visit by the Australian Foreign Minister.
  • The visit by the Foreign Minister to Fiji.
  • The visit by the Prime Minister to the Philippines.
  • The visit by the Prime Minister to Australia.
  • The visit by the Prime Minister to South Africa.
  • The visit by the Governor-General of Papua New Guinea.
  • The visit by the Chief of Army of Singapore.
  • The Five Power Defence Arrangements Defence Chiefs meeting attended by the Chief of Defence Force and Chief of Defence Force designate.
  • The visit by the Minister of Defence to Solomon Islands.
  • The visit by the Minister of Defence and the Secretary of Defence to the United States.
  • The visit by the Minister of Defence to France and the United Kingdom.
  • The visit by the Minister of Defence to the Five Power Defence Arrangements Headquarters (Malaysia).
  • The visit by the Minister of Defence to Fiji.
  • The visit by the Minister of Defence and the Commander Joint Forces to Timor-Leste.
  • The visit by the Prime Minister of Singapore.
  • The visit by the Foreign Minister of Thailand.
  • The visit by the French Overseas Minister.
  • The visit by Lieutenant-General Esperon, Commanding General of the Philippine Army (now Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines -Chief of Defence Force-equivalent).
  • The visit by the Chief of Staff of Qatar.
  • The visit by Lieutenant General Kim, Commander Special Warfare Command, Republic of Korea.
  • The visit by the Republic of Korea Staff College.
  • The visit by the Peoples Liberation Army Overseas Educational Exchange Working Group delegation.
  • The visit by the Commander of the Timor-Leste Armed Forces.
  • The visit by a Deputy Commander of the Greek Army.
  • The visit by HMNZS Te Mana to Singapore, India.
  • The visit by the Chief of Defence Force to NATO and the European Union.
  • The visit by the Commander Joint Forces to Afghanistan.
  • The visit by the Chief of Navy to India.
  • The visit by the Chief of Army to Afghanistan and Australia.
  • The visit by the Deputy Chief of Navy to Malaysia, Singapore.
  • The visit by the Deputy Chief of Army to Malaysia.

• responses to Ministerial correspondence
  • replies to Ministerial correspondence will be actioned within 14 working days of receipt by the Ministry

• A total of 33 items were actioned within 14 working days of receipt in the year ended 30 June 2006, including three that were delayed owing to late external advice.

• responses to Parliamentary questions
  • Parliamentary questions will be actioned within time frames set by Standing Orders of the House of Representatives

• A total of 49 Parliamentary Questions were actioned within the time frames set by Standing Orders of the House of Representatives in the year ended 30 June 2006.

• the Ministry will maintain quality control procedures to support the policy advice delivered under this output class

• The Ministry has maintained quality control procedures to support the expectations for policy advice delivered under this output class.
• The quality and review processes of the Policy and Planning Division incorporate the quality requirements, and it is considered that these standards have been achieved in the years work.

• the quality of policy advice will be assessed in terms of whether it is credible, respected, and contributes to the achievement of the Government's defence policy objectives by:
  • seeking the Minister's view
  • seeking the views of key stakeholders in policy advice.

• The quality of policy advice is discussed regularly with the Minister. The Minister has expressed satisfaction with the policy advice received from the Ministry.