Statement of Intent 1 July 2007 - 30 June 2010
Part 1: Strategic framework
Our operating environment
The Ministry of Defence plays a key role in guiding the achievement of the Government’s defence interests and objectives. Those interests and objectives, as outlined in the June 2000 Defence Policy Framework, are founded on an awareness of New Zealand’s domestic circumstances, capabilities, and regional and global responsibilities.
The international context
Defence is a core component of New Zealand’s broader foreign and security policy and of our national identity. Understanding changes in the international environment, the new demands being placed on defence forces, and the consequences for New Zealand’s defence policy, doctrine, capabilities and deployments will remain a critical part of the Ministry’s business.
Lessons learned from New Zealand’s Defence Force deployments inform policy development. The New Zealand Defence Force is currently deployed in operations that span the domestic, regional and international objectives embodied in the Defence Policy Framework. This includes regular P-3 Orion aerial patrols of our exclusive economic zone, a partnership with Australia in the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands and in Timor-Leste through the Australian-led Joint Task Force, and through global operations, such as our commitment to the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Afghanistan’s Bamyan province.
The Ministry supports New Zealand’s bilateral and multilateral defence relationships in a wide range of countries in the region and beyond. These relationships help inform the Ministry’s policy advice on capability and deployments, as well as supporting the Government’s broader foreign policy objectives.
The Ministry is currently acquiring equipment in five localities overseas for the New Zealand Defence Force.
The domestic setting
Within the domestic setting of a comprehensive, defence-wide, modernisation and long-term lift in the resourcing of the New Zealand Defence Force, the Ministry of Defence provides policy advice on defence issues, manages the acquisition of major items of military equipment for the New Zealand Defence Force, and audits the performance of the Defence organisations.
The Ministry works with the New Zealand Defence Force and other government agencies through the Officials Domestic and External Security Committee (ODESC) process to ensure an alignment of policy across the range of the Government’s security interests.
Relationships
The relationship with the New Zealand Defence Force is an especially critical one for the Ministry. There are formal and informal arrangements that are in place to ensure that this relationship fosters a cooperative and productive approach to defence policy making. This will continue to be of key importance. On a day-to-day basis this will be underlined by the coordination undertaken by the Ministry’s Deputy Secretary (Policy & Planning) and the Vice-Chief of Defence Force.
We will continue to work closely with other government agencies that deal with external security, in particular, the New Zealand Defence Force, the Treasury, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Commitment to sustainability
The Ministry of Defence contributes to the Government’s sustainability initiatives through membership of the Govt3 programme. The Ministry is actively engaged in maximising energy efficiency, minimising waste and considering the environmental impact of departmental procurement practices. Following the move to premises within the new Defence House in February 2007, the Ministry is looking forward to maximising opportunities for energy efficiency presented by the new building design and facilities.
Information, Communication, Technology Systems (ICT)
The successful relocation to the new Defence House premises has increased the underlying robustness of the Ministry’s ICT systems through better physical security and environmental control. This was achieved through a purpose built server room and upgrade to the backbone network infrastructure within the new offices. Building from this base, a review and upgrade of the core ICT systems is planned to maintain currency with changes in software and hardware technology. The enhancement of disaster recovery and remote access facilities is a key consideration for the coming year to ensure the ICT systems continue to meet the Ministry’s needs.
Analysing and managing risks and opportunities
The Ministry will continue to review the operating environment, the risks that must be managed, and the opportunities available. In doing so, the Ministry will need to identify and monitor the strategic risks and opportunities that are likely to be faced both within individual divisions and as an organisation. The Ministry will ensure that the Government is fully advised with regard to those risks and opportunities.
In the Acquisition Division, individual acquisition projects undergo comprehensive risk analysis, mitigation, and management. The Acquisition Division also maintains certification to ISO 9001 for quality management processes and outcomes.
The Capability Management Framework has provided a direction for establishing mechanisms for defining the capabilities required of the New Zealand Defence Force. It also provides a means for identifying the risks and opportunities prior to any equipment procurement.
