This morning (4 August) the Minister of Defence, Hon. Andrew Little, formally launched the first two documents of the Defence Policy Review at an event at Parliament.
The Defence Policy and Strategy Statement and Future Force Design Principles were released alongside New Zealand’s first ever National Security Strategy and provide a roadmap for the future of Defence.
The launch took place in front of an engaged audience of academics, industry, ambassadors, media and other government agencies.
“We take the world as it is, not how we would like it to be. It is essential to respond appropriately to the full range of national security threats to New Zealand and our interests,” Defence Minister Andrew Little said.
“That is what forms the assessments and strategies in the documents released today, all of which are tightly aligned and interdependent.
“We are investing to modernise our capabilities across land, sea and air, and are strengthening our relationships with friends and partners in the Pacific and beyond.
“As we work to safeguard our national security we will be proportionate, predictable and avoid unnecessary securitisation,” Andrew Little said.
Also speaking at the event, Secretary of Defence Andrew Bridgman (pictured above) said, “The threats that New Zealand faces are becoming more complex and challenging. The Defence Policy and Strategy Statement sets a strategy for Defence while the Future Force Design Principles outlines the framework for future decision making.
“Together the documents provide an excellent basis for the Defence Policy Review to continue onto the next stage, the development of a Defence Capability Plan.”
Read more about the Defence Policy Review.
