Defence Review 2009 Public Consultation Document
Strategic Environment
Peace and security can only be founded on economic prosperity. As a trading nation, our security interests can, therefore, be grouped into domestic (New Zealand and our Exclusive Economic Zone), regional (the Asia-Pacific region) and the rest of the world.
Cooperation and Conflict
We need the right mix of capabilities and partnerships based, first and foremost, on our responsibilities close to home and on protecting our economic well-being. Cooperation with our regional partners is essential. No single country has the strategic interest and capability to provide security for our region.
Conflict is part of global society. Strong political, economic, social and technological trends reflect the security environment. There are challenges to the relevance of the nation state. These include the emergence of smaller non-state and economic entities that demonstrate loyalty to a cause rather than a nation.
Global phenomena such as the internet, other advances in technology, resource scarcities (including fresh water, minerals and energy), environmental issues and fears of global climate change all influence the international security environment. There has been an increase in asymmetric conflicts. The threat of lightly-armed insurgents opposing national armies is real. Increasingly, we see military forces working alongside multiple non-state agencies.
Defence Objectives
The key objectives of our defence and security policy are firstly that New Zealand is protected. Secondly, that our region is stable. Finally, that a rules-based international system exists. Protecting New Zealand means ensuring that we are safe from military attack; that we control our maritime environment; and that New Zealanders are safe within New Zealand.
A realistic assessment of New Zealand's security environment is that the country is not currently threatened by a direct military attack. More likely threats relate to New Zealand's maritime environment, where illegal fishing or resource extraction might occur. Our maritime approaches may also be used as an avenue for the unauthorised entry of people, goods, or disease into New Zealand. The armed forces are a core contributor to whole-of-government efforts to address these threats.
Defence Priorities
In the domestic environment the Defence Force supports a range of government agencies including Police, Customs, and the Ministry of Fisheries.
Many South Pacific states look to New Zealand for assistance with their economic and social development. We also assist in maritime surveillance, strengthening border protection, and building internal capability. Occasionally, New Zealand is asked to assist in dealing with internal security challenges. The Defence Force may be a tool that can be used in these situations. In the past, Defence Force personnel have often been deployed as part of a broader New Zealand intervention, involving diplomatic, police, development assistance and other agencies.
Australia is New Zealand's major security partner. The Closer Defence Relationship with Australia is but one strand in a very broad and deep trans-Tasman relationship. It brings both benefits and challenges to New Zealand. New Zealand's defence personnel and assets are valued by Australia for the skills they bring to combined efforts. In the future, New Zealand will be likely to continue to deploy military capability in association with Australia. That means we need to be interoperable with Australia and in appropriate cases provide complementary capabilities.
New Zealand has a significant stake in the stability of the Asia-Pacific region, but also in wider global peace and security. We have been a regular contributor to United Nations and other internationally mandated peacekeeping operations over many years. We make those contributions because of the benefit we derive from a stable world, and because of our sense of obligation as a good international citizen. The location and composition of those contributions is more a matter of choice, however we cannot do everything. This review is an opportunity for New Zealanders to say what is important to them.
In the period since the 1997 White Paper, the security situation confronting New Zealand has become more complex. We have played a role in seeking to restore peace to many locations. Military deployments have often lasted longer than anticipated. More recently, instability has crept closer to home. We may be able to make better use of the Reserves in easing the strain of deployments on our Regular Force.
