Statement of Intent 1 July 2010 - 30 June 2013
Introduction from the Secretary of Defence
This Statement of Intent sets out how the Ministry of Defence will contribute to the Government's priorities for Defence between 2010 and 2013.
The completion of the Defence Assessment and its implementation will be the primary focus for the Ministry over the coming year and beyond. It is the first major review of Defence in over a decade. In that time the global security environment and the factors shaping the New Zealand Defence Force's ability to respond have become more challenging.
The Assessment will provide the basis for defence policy now and over the longer term. It will take into account the replacement of those major capabilities which are nearing the end of their service life. It is an opportunity to put in place a long-term, realistic, and financially sustainable plan for the future development and operation of the New Zealand Defence Force.
The Ministry is also involved in the Value For Money review to be completed by September this year. This, alongside the Assessment, will inform the Government's White Paper.
As well as implementing the Assessment, the Ministry will continue to progress the major acquisition projects currently underway – the upgrade/life-extension projects for the P-3 Orions and C-130 Hercules – and prepare for the delivery of the new medium utility (NH-90) and training and light utility (A109 LUH) helicopters. The Ministry will also work with the New Zealand Defence Force on remediation of the Multi-role Vessel, HMNZS Canterbury, one of the seven vessels that have been delivered under Project Protector.
Defence Force deployments and defence relations with overseas partners will continue to be important issues. The Ministry will be a key adviser on these.
The Ministry's organisational health is dependent on attracting and retaining staff with the right skills, and ensuring that the right systems and processes are in place. These are critical to the effective conduct of the Ministry's work and the achievement of the Government's expectations of the Ministry. This Statement of Intent outlines our intended action in this regard.
The Ministry will continue to maintain a very close working relationship with the New Zealand Defence Force. A strong and mutually reinforcing partnership between the Ministry and the New Zealand Defence Force is critical to the implementation of defence policy, and to Defence's interaction with other agencies.
John McKinnon
Secretary of Defence
