Statement of Intent 1 July 2006 - 30 June 2009
Chief Executive's introduction
The roles of the Ministry of Defence, which are founded on section 24 of the Defence Act 1990, are:
- to provide timely, high-quality advice to help the Government make well-informed decisions about the defence of New Zealand and its interests
- to manage the acquisition of significant items of military equipment needed to meet New Zealand Defence Force capability requirements
- to conduct audits and assessments of the New Zealand Defence Force and the Ministry of Defence.
These roles are reflected in three output classes, which are described in detail in Part 2 of this Statement of Intent. These are:
- policy advice
- management of equipment procurement
- audit and assessment of performance.
The Ministry's high-level and intermediate outcomes are:
- High-level outcome: supporting New Zealand's security objectives and contributing to the security of other countries.
- Intermediate outcomes:
- the Ministry of Defence develops sound advice on how Government's defence and security policies can best be advanced
- the Ministry's advice and actions are credible, effective and respected.
The Ministry works closely with the New Zealand Defence Force to promote New Zealand's defence and security interests. Formal and informal consultation arrangements between the Ministry's Deputy Secretary (Policy and Planning) and the Vice-Chief of Defence Force play a major role in fostering a cooperative approach to defence policy-making.
The Ministry also works closely with other government agencies that deal with external security. It is intended to further enhance key relationships with the Treasury, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and the State Services Commission to ensure the Government continues to receive robust, timely, professional and independent defence advice.
Graham Fortune
Secretary of Defence
