Given the nature of the work conducted by the Ministry of Defence (the Ministry) and the New Zealand Defence Force, it is essential the two agencies operate in an open, transparent and high-integrity environment.
The Ministry undertakes audits and assessments to ensure there is a clear understanding of the performance of the Defence system. This demonstrates system credibility, supports continuous improvement, and strengthens the Ministry’s ongoing advice to decision makers.
The Ministry conducts audits and assessments of the NZDF, and the Ministry’s military procurements as outlined in the Defence Act 1990. These audits and assessments enable greater understanding of Defence system performance and opportunities for continuous improvement.
Monitoring deployments
Monitoring deployments
Monitoring and assessing major deployments
The Ministry monitors and assesses Cabinet-mandated deployments, in consultation with the NZDF and other national security agencies.
Assessments consider whether:
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an ongoing operation is achieving its strategic objectives (‘Are We?’), or
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a recently completed operation achieved its strategic objectives (‘Did We?’).
These reviews help ensure the Defence system remains accountable for delivering on the Government’s direction. They also provide opportunities to identify lessons learnt, to assist current and future operations to achieve their strategic objectives.
Assessing major capability acquisitions
Assessing major capability acquisitions
Assessing the defence system’s performance in the acquisition of major capabilities
The Ministry assesses whether recently completed major defence capability projects were delivered on time, on budget, within scope, and whether the intended benefits of these capabilities were realised. As part of these assessments, the Ministry also considers whether any improvements are needed to Defence’s Capability Management System.
The assessments provide assurance that major capability projects successfully delivered while efficiently and effectively using public resources.
Tracking strategic progress
Tracking strategic progress
Measuring and assessing the defence system’s progress against policy and strategy settings
Progress towards achieving the strategic defence policy is assessed by drawing on external and internal data sources. This regular assessment ensures that senior Defence leaders are well informed on how Defence is tracking against Government’s defence policy and strategy settings. These assessments highlight the range of operational achievements and challenges Defence is experiencing.
Long-term Insights Briefing
Long-term Insights Briefing
Understanding long-term trends that may affect New Zealand’s future defence capabilities
The Ministry is required under the Public Service Act 2020 to produce a Long-term Insights Briefing (LTIB) every three years. These briefings are not government policy, but provide the public with information about:
- Medium to long term trends, risks, and opportunities that affect or may affect New Zealand and New Zealand society; and
- Policy options for responding to these matters.
More information about LTIBs can be found on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet's website.
The Ministry’s current draft LTIB has sought to understand how technology innovations are likely to influence New Zealand’s defence capabilities beyond 2035.
Expert Review Group
Expert Review Group
Responding to the Government’s Inquiry into Operation Burnham and recommendations from the Expert Review Group
In 2020/21, an Expert Review Group was set up following the Government Inquiry into Operation Burnham and Related Matters. The Expert Review Group made nine main recommendations. The Operations Lifecycle Enhancement Programme (OLEP), co-led by the NZDF and the Ministry, was established in 2022 to ensure the implementation of these recommendations was integrated, cohesive, and consistent.
The OLEP completed its work in early 2025, with most initiatives now integrated into ongoing defence systems and processes.