The Shape of New Zealand's Defence - A White Paper (November 97)
Chapter III (Three): New Zealand's Security Requirements
Complexity and uncertainty are the dominant characteristics of the international security environment, but it is clear from the analysis of the international security setting in Chapter II that any challenges to New Zealand's national security are likely to be limited and localised. There will, however, be continuing demands on the NZDF in the areas of counter-terrorism, surveillance and protection of the EEZ and Southern Ocean, support for the Antarctic programme, civil defence emergencies, and search and rescue.
Globally, there will be a continuing requirement for New Zealand to take part in collective security operations. International peacekeeping has become steadily more demanding and these types of tasks will be the most likely to call on the Defence Force's capabilities over the next few years.
New Zealand also faces new demands for closer cooperation from its defence partners and allies in the Asia Pacific region. New Zealand is becomingly increasingly interdependent with other countries in the region and has a growing stake in maintaining its security. Closer to home, in the South Pacific, defence requirements are likely to remain steady - humanitarian activities, maritime surveillance, training and support programmes, anti-terrorism and regional peace-support activities (as in Bougainville), and fulfillment of constitutional and treaty obligations.
While the possibility of a serious threat to New Zealand's physical security is unlikely, it cannot be discounted. So that our security needs will be taken into account by a collective response, New Zealand needs to demonstrate that it is serious about its own defence. This requires military capabilities that will allow New Zealand to play a defence role equal to the risks to its own security.
From this, it is possible to identify New Zealand's security requirements in broad outline. They are set out below.
New Zealand and Its Environs
- To prevent low-level security challenges and deal effectively with any that may occur. Low-level challenges include such things as acts of sabotage and terrorism, the mining of ports and sea approaches, illegal use or exploitation of natural resources under New Zealand jurisdiction, smuggling, and illegal entry.
- To assist the civil authorities in New Zealand and the South Pacific in moving people away from situations of peril, minimising loss of life, and fulfilling international obligations for air and sea safety. This involves, in the event of natural disasters, the provision of services essential to life and health; and in the event of a serious challenge to the maintenance of law and order, the provision of aid to the civil power.
- To preserve a force structure that provides a basis for responding to serious changes in New Zealand's strategic circumstances in the longer term, as well as demonstrating a commitment to national defence that is sufficient to secure the support of others.
South Pacific
- To play an appropriate role in the maintenance of stability and security in the South Pacific and to assist in the economic development of the island states. To discharge constitutional obligations for the security of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau. To respond to requests for assistance from a South Pacific state in the event of a serious breakdown of law and order. To protect New Zealanders in the South Pacific region.
Australia
- To contribute effectively to the common security of the Australia-New Zealand strategic area, both in the short and long term, by maintaining defence capabilities that are interoperable with those of Australia and that can look after New Zealand's fair share of the defence burden.
The ASIA Pacific Region
- To make an appropriate contribution to the maintenance of security in the Asia Pacific region by having a range of militarily effective capabilities that are interoperable with those of our allies and friends.
- To fulfil New Zealand's commitments under the FPDA.
- To ensure that New Zealand's contribution to regional security is valued by regional partners and contributes to New Zealand's standing in the region.
Globally
- To demonstrate New Zealand's commitment to maintaining global security by having a suitable range of militarily effective capabilities that can contribute to collective security efforts in response to the development of a serious security threat.
- To fulfil New Zealand's obligations and responsibilities under the United Nations Charter by maintaining a suitable range of militarily effective capabilities that can participate in the full range of peace support and humanitarian relief operations.
- To contribute to New Zealand's image and standing in the world community.
