Statement of Intent 1 July 2004 - 30 June 2005

Structure and roles of the Ministry

The Ministry of Defence is headed by the Secretary of Defence and is the equivalent of the Chief of Defence Force in the NZDF.

The Ministry is split into five divisions:

Defence Policy and Planning which is headed by the Deputy Secretary Policy and Planning. Both the Deputy Secretary Policy and Planning and the International Defence Relations Branch have direct relationships to the Chief of Defence Force. In consultation with the New Zealand Defence Force, provide advice on defence policy matters, including:
- Changes in the strategic environment.
- Defence and security policies.
- Military capabilities required to meet defence policy goals, broad resource implications and relative merits and risks associated with proposed capability options.
- Management of bilateral and multilateral defence relations.

Acquisition Division, which is headed by the Deputy Secretary Acquisition.
- Progress new acquisition projects approved by the Government.
- Continue management of current projects to completion.
Evaluation Division, which is headed by the Deputy Secretary Evaluation.
- Complete an agreed programme of evaluations.
- Conduct other assessments and audits of the New Zealand Defence Force as and when directed.
Corporate Division, which is headed by the Deputy Secretary Corporate.
- Provide advice and support to the Ministry in the areas of organisational strategy, human resources, information management, communication and legal.
- Coordinate the provision of responses to Ministerial correspondence, Parliamentary Questions and Official Information Act requests.
- Maintain quality assurance procedures.
Finance Section, which is headed by the Assistance Secretary Finance.
- Provide financial services and advice, including cash and foreign currency management for the Ministry and the coordination of financial planning, budget management and preparation of the Estimates.