For New Zealand to have a Defence Force that meets the challenges of an uncertain future security environment, Defence decision-makers need reliable and thorough advice that enables them to plan well in advance. They need a clear picture of the international strategic environment, an understanding of how this environment will change in the future, and the implications for Defence.
For decades, New Zealand has enjoyed a world underpinned by an international rules-based order that reflected our values, protected our interests, and supported our ambitions.
We now face a very different world. A world in which conflict is becoming more widespread, the existing international rules-based order is being deliberately challenged, strategic competition is intensifying in the Pacific, and natural disasters are increasing in frequency and impact.
New Zealand, as a geographically isolated trading nation, is reliant on a stable regional and international system, underpinned by collective security, open trading relations, and governed by transparent rules and norms which reflect our values. We are a Pacific nation and are part of the wider Indo-Pacific region. We are responsible for a vast maritime environment, with the 4th largest search and rescue area and 8th largest Exclusive Economic Zone in the world, and are at the end of most supply chains.
Defence’s role
Due to continuing and sharp deterioration of our strategic environment Defence must continue to be able to act early and deliberately to promote and protect New Zealand’s strategic interests.
Our national security settings lay out an imperative for acting early to prevent national security threats and build our collective resilience.
The Government has determined that New Zealand’s strategic defence policy will be updated to centre on three new defence policy objectives.
- Protect and promote the security of New Zealand and the immediate region;
- Enhance the ANZUS alliance with Australia and New Zealand’s most important security partnerships; and
- Contribute to achieving New Zealand’s global interests.
Defence assessments
In close consultation with the New Zealand Defence Force and other Government agencies, the Ministry develops and produces assessments on issues of importance for New Zealand’s Defence policy settings.
These assessments consider major strategic trends as well as more in-depth, emerging and evolving issues that could affect New Zealand’s national security interests.
Major defence assessments are typically produced about every five years.