Defence Portfolio
Briefing to the Incoming Government 2005
Roles and Organisation of the Ministry of Defence and the NZDF (continued)
The New Zealand Defence Force
Mission Statement
The primary mission of the NZDF is:
"to secure New Zealand against external threat, to protect our sovereign interests, including in the EEZ, and to be able to take action to meet likely contingencies in our strategic area of interest."
Vision
Three Services - One Force
The NZDF is an equal partnership of three separate and distinct Services comprising Service personnel and civilians.
The Chief of Defence Force and the Service Chiefs will provide an environment that enables people within the Defence Force to achieve the Government's defence priorities, as laid out in the Defence Policy Framework. The 2001 Defence Statement and the Defence Long-term Development Plan.
The way ahead will focus on building a Defence Force that is united, professionally trained, competent, appropriately equipped and capable of serving the interests of New Zealand, confronting the security challenges of the future, and meeting the requirements of the New Zealand Government. The key concepts that underpin the development of the NZDF rest around: the intent to become a tailored joint force that is multi-mission capable and shaped to contribute joint effects across the full spectrum of operational tasks. The tailored joint force will be a network force that will work seamlessly with, and be supported by, broader agency or coalition networks. The development of a knowledge edge that builds and sustains the knowledge advantage of our people will mean the difference between success and failure.
Loyalty, integrity, professionalism and commitment are the four values that the NZDF will use to achieve this vision.
Role
New Zealand's armed forces are raised and maintained for the following purposes:
- The defence of New Zealand, and of any area for the defence of which New Zealand is responsible under any act;
- The protection of the interests of New Zealand, whether in New Zealand or elsewhere;
- The contribution of forces under collective security treaties, agreements, or arrangements;
- The contribution of forces to, or for any of the purposes of, the United Nations, or in association with other organisations or States and in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations;
- The provision of assistance to the civil power either in New Zealand or elsewhere in time of emergency; and
- The provision of any public service.
Organisational Structure
The NZDF comprises Headquarters NZDF, the three Services (Navy, Army and Air Force) and Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand.
The Armed Forces of New Zealand comprise:
- The New Zealand Naval Forces, consisting of:
- the Royal New Zealand Navy;
- the Royal New Zealand Naval Reserve;
- the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve;
- the Naval Reserves; and
- additional naval forces raised in time of war or other like emergency.
- The New Zealand Army, consisting of:
- the Regular Force of the New Zealand Army;
- the Territorial Force of the New Zealand Army;
- the Army Reserve; and
- additional army forces raised in time of war or other like emergency.
- The Royal New Zealand Air Force, consisting of:
- the Regular Air Force;
- the Territorial Air Force;
- the Air Force Reserve; and
- additional air forces raised in time of war or other like emergency.
- Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand was established on 1 July 2001.
Headquarters NZDF
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- The titles Chief of Navy (CN), Chief of Army (CA) and Chief of Air Force (CAF) were adopted in March 2003 to more accurately indicate the focus and role of those appointments and were formalised in the Defence Amendment Act 2005.
Review of Accountabilities and Structural Arrangements
Between the Ministry of Defence and the New Zealand Defence Force
In March 2003 the Government considered the Review of Accountabilities and Structural Arrangements (RASA) between the Ministry and the NZDF, also known as the Hunn Review. While Cabinet noted that the Secretary of Defence and the Chief of Defence Force had already taken a number of steps towards achieving the desired greater degree of jointness Cabinet made a number of key decisions. These included, for example:
- A direction to achieve a greater joint effect across the three services;
- Defining the role of the three Service chiefs to "raise, train and maintain" their respective Services;
- Ensuring the elimination of unnecessary duplication of functions between NZDF Headquarters and the Joint Forces Headquarters and within and between the three Services;
- Reinforcing and cementing existing initiatives designed to support cooperation and collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and the NZDF;
- Assigning accountability on a sole, shared or prime basis to the Chief of Defence Force and the Secretary of Defence; and
- Developing the role of the Office of Chief Executives to ensure that the Secretary of Defence and the Chief of Defence Force share information on a regular basis.
To facilitate a greater sense of jointness between the Ministry of Defence and the NZDF, both organisations cooperate and consult closely. The facilitation of this coordination is effected through the Office of Chief Executives, which brings the Secretary of Defence and the Chief of Defence Force together to discuss policy issues of mutual interest; the Executive Capability Board, which oversees major capital acquisition projects; and weekly meetings between the Vice Chief of Defence Force (VCDF) and the Ministry's Deputy Secretary of Defence (Policy and Planning) that are designed to increase communication, cooperation and visibility within the defence establishment.
The Defence Sustainability Initiative has incorporated RASA activities relating to information sharing and strengthening of the Office of Chief Executives.
