Welcome to The Ministry of Defence

Naumai ki te Manatū Kaupapa Waonga

We are the Government’s lead civilian advisor on defence. We also purchase major equipment which becomes a capability when it is used by service men and women of the New Zealand Defence Force.

Ko mātou ngā kaitohutohu matua ki te kāwanatanga mo ngā kaupapa waonga. Nā mātou hoki, ngā taputapu nunui i hoko, hei āheitanga i roto i ngā ringa o ngā tāne me ngā wahine o Te Ope Kātua o Aotearoa.

Who we are

A civilian agency giving advice to Government on Defence matters

What we do

We deliver capability and provide strategic advice

Industry working with Defence

We work together with industry to deliver Defence capability

Work for us

Our staff profiles and current vacancies

Featured & recent publications

Ngā whakaaturanga hou

Defence Assessment 2021: he moana pukepuke e ekengia e te waka

Defence Assessment 2021: he moana pukepuke e ekengia e te waka / a rough sea can still be navigated was released on 8 December 2021 by the Secretary of Defence alongside the Minister of Defence. The document provides a comprehensive review of the challenges to New Zealand’s strategic defence interests, as well as defence officials’ advice to Government on changing New Zealand’s defence policy settings.

New Zealand Defence Force Support to Afghanistan for Evacuation Operations

Principles for Defence 2021

Ministerial Priorities for Defence 2021

Senior Officials Steering Group Terms of Reference

Terms of Reference for the Senior Officials Steering Group for the Establishment of an Independent Inspector-General of Defence

Establishment of an Independent IGD Progress Update

Progress Update on the Establishment of an independent Inspector-General of Defence - Cabinet Documents

View all publications

The latest from The Ministry

Ngā pānuitanga hou o te wā

8th United States – New Zealand Defence Policy Dialogue 16 December 2021

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, Dr Ely Ratner, and Deputy Secretary for Defence Policy and Planning, Michael Swain, met virtually to conduct the 8th annual United States – New Zealand Defence Policy Dialogue on December 15 (Washington) and December 16 (Wellington).

News

Release of the Defence Assessment 2021, Ministerial Priorities for Defence and Principles for Defence

On 8 December 2021 the Minister of Defence, alongside the Secretary of Defence, released the Defence Assessment 2021: he moana pukepuke e ekengia e te waka, Ministerial Priorities for Defence 2021 and Principles for Defence 2021.

Publication

NZ tops global transparency ratings for defence and security sector

The New Zealand Defence Force and Ministry of Defence have welcomed the latest Transparency International Government Defence Integrity Index results, where New Zealand received the highest international rating for anti-corruption and integrity measures.

News

View all items