The New Zealand Ministry of Defence is a civilian agency that provides advice to the Government on defence matters.
Ko te Manatū Kaupapa Waonga tētahi pokapū ā-tangata noa e tuku ana i ngā kupu tohutohu ki te Kāwanatanga mō ngā take waonga.
We do this by undertaking these activities:
- Plan and assess: provide long-range assessments and advice (20-30 years) on New Zealand’s defence interests and challenges and advise on Defence’s performance and effectiveness as a system.
- Equip: purchase major defence equipment for use by the New Zealand Defence Force as a defence capability.
- Partner: build and maintains strong Defence relationships internationally and advise the Government on how our Defence Force can meet current challenges (such as potential deployments) and possible future challenges.
The Ministry works closely with the Defence Force, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and other agencies to carry out these activities.
The Ministry also builds and maintains strong defence connections with other governments, including our ally Australia, so New Zealand can contribute to the security of the Indo-Pacific region, and understand and respond to defence and security challenges internationally.
Plan & assess
Provide long-range assessments and advice on New Zealand’s defence interests and challenges as well as assessing Defence’s performance and effectiveness.
Equip
Purchase major defence equipment for use by the New Zealand Defence Force as a defence capability.
Partner
Build and maintain strong Defence relationships and advise on possible deployments.
News
Hercules takes to the skies
After 18 months construction, New Zealand’s first Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules successfully took its first test flight over Georgia and Alabama, USA.
Sea Ceptor testing
The new Sea Ceptor Local Area Air Defence System on HMNZS Te Mana has been successfully tested off the coast of Australia. This is the final test for the capability release of the Anzac Frigate Systems Upgrade project.
Bushmaster communications
Defence has issued a Request for Proposal for services related to the design, build and installation of communications and digital systems, which will connect the new Bushmaster vehicle fleet for years to come.
Publications
Defence Assessment 2021
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.
Defence Policy Review
Read about New Zealand's updated strategy and future force design principles.
2021 Expert Review Group report
The Expert Review Group was established in response to recommendation one of the Government Inquiry into Operation Burnham and related matters.