Welcome to The Ministry of Defence
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.
Featured & recent publications

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.
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Copies of submissions received during the targeted consultation process on proposals for establishing an independent Inspector-General of Defence
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Summary of Submissions Report: Proposals for establishing an independent Inspector-General of Defence in New Zealand
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Final Regulatory Impact Statement: Establishing the Inspector-General of Defence
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Cabinet Paper: Establishing an independent Inspector-General of Defence – Policy Proposals
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