Proposed New Zealand Defence Force Participation in Operation Olympic Defender to Secure Space Capabilities and Services

Additional info

This publication provides documents on Cabinet’s June 2024 decision on the proposed New Zealand Defence Force participation in the United States-led enduring multinational military space domain operation, Operation OLYMPIC DEFENDER.

The pack comprises the following documents:

• the Cabinet minute of decision: Proposed New Zealand Defence Force Participation in Operation Olympic Defender to Secure Space Capabilities and Services [FPS-24-MIN-0020]

• the Cabinet paper: Proposed New Zealand Defence Force Participation in Operation Olympic Defender to Secure Space Capabilities and Services [FPS-24-SUB-0020].

It has been necessary to withhold certain information in accordance with the following provisions of the Official Information Act 1982. Where information is withheld, the relevant sections of the Act are indicated in the body of the document. Where information has been withheld in accordance with section 9(2) of the Act, no public interest has been identified that would outweigh the reasons for withholding it.

Certain information is withheld, where the making available of the information would be likely to prejudice:

• the security or defence of New Zealand or the international relations of the Government of New Zealand [section 6(a)]

In addition, certain information has been withheld in order to:

• maintain the constitutional conventions for the timing being which protect the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of the Crown and officials [section 9(2)(f)(iv)]

• maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank expression of opinions by or between or to Ministers of the Crown or members of an organisation or officers and employees of any department or organisation in the course of their duty [section 9(2)(g)(i)]

• maintain legal professional privilege [section 9(2)(h)].

Where information is withheld pursuant to section 9(2), it is not considered that the public interest in this information outweighs the need to protect it.

Information about making an Official Information Act request to the Ministry of Defence is available from this page.