Statement of Intent 1 July 2010 - 30 June 2013
Nature and scope of functions
Our roles and functions are established by the Defence Act 1990 (the Act). Section 24 of the Act establishes the position of Secretary of Defence who is also the chief executive of the Ministry of Defence. The Secretary's responsibilities concerning the Ministry, the New Zealand Defence Force, and New Zealand's defence and security are detailed in section 24.
These responsibilities are embodied in three output classes:
- policy advice
- management of equipment procurement
- audit and assessment of performance.
Section 24(2)(c) of the Act establishes as one of the Secretary of Defence's functions “to prepare, in consultation with the Chief of Defence Force, and submit to the Minister from time to time a defence assessment, including a review of different options capable of achieving the Government's policy goals.” Pursuant to this function, a Defence Assessment has been undertaken in 2009/2010. It will inform a Government White Paper on defence which is expected to be published in September 2010. The implementation of the decisions of the White Paper will shape the work of the Ministry in 2010 and beyond.
