Statement of Intent 1 July 2010 - 30 June 2013
Foreword: Minister of Defence
I am pleased to present the 2010-2013 Statement of Intent of the Ministry of Defence.
The primary role of Defence is to ensure the security and safety of New Zealand. It is with this overarching objective in mind that the Government's priorities for the next three years have been set.
An immediate priority for Defence is the completion of the Defence Assessment being undertaken by the Secretary of Defence. This will be accompanied by an independent Value for Money review, aimed at ensuring that that the Government gets the best possible return from its investment in Defence. These two pieces of work will then inform the Government's Defence White Paper, which is to be released in September this year.
The Assessment is critically examining New Zealand's security environment in the period to 2035. It will determine how the Ministry of Defence and the New Zealand Defence Force can best contribute to New Zealand's future security needs. It will map a future military capability mix and force structure. And it will identify improvements to governance and resource management. All with a view to providing the Government with a Defence Force which is adaptable, useful to New Zealand and others across a range of tasks, durable and affordable.
The Government expects the New Zealand Defence Force to undertake a number of tasks. These range from providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, to undertaking peacekeeping and nation building, to combat. I expect the Ministry to work with the New Zealand Defence Force to ensure we retain the people and equipment necessary to fulfil the full range of tasks expected of the New Zealand Defence Force, acting alone or alongside others, on a sustainable basis. This is an important objective of the Assessment.
Because of the significant sums of money involved in acquiring military capabilities, I have directed that a priority for the Assessment is to look at Defence procurement and resource management. The Defence agencies need to meet best international practice in these areas. It is critical that the Government's significant investment in military capability is managed soundly with a view to maximising appropriateness and cost-effectiveness.
My priorities over the period ahead, therefore, are to complete the Defence Assessment, to ensure that the New Zealand Defence Force remains effective and responsive, to implement a sound and balanced acquisition strategy, and to introduce new resource management methods. I also want to consolidate the ANZAC relationship, identifying new opportunities for New Zealand and Australia to work together, and to develop complementary capabilities. I expect the Ministry to play a central role in each of these areas of focus, working in partnership with the New Zealand Defence Force.
I look forward to working closely with the Ministry to implement our Defence programme over the coming three year period.
Ministerial Statement of Responsibility
I am satisfied that the information on future operating intentions provided by the Ministry of Defence in this Statement of Intent is in accordance with sections 38, 40, and 41 of the Public Finance Act 1989 and is consistent with the policies and performance expectations of the Government.
Hon Dr Wayne Mapp
Minister of Defence
