19. The Government has established five key objectives for New Zealand's defence policy. These are:
    • to defend New Zealand and to protect its people, land, territorial waters, EEZ, natural resources and critical infrastructure;

    • to meet our alliance commitments to Australia by maintaining a close defence partnership in pursuit of common security interests;

    • to assist in the maintenance of security in the South Pacific and to provide assistance to our Pacific neighbours;

    • to play an appropriate role in the maintenance of security in the Asia-Pacific region, including meeting our obligations as a member of the FPDA;

    • to contribute to global security and peacekeeping through participation in the full range of UN and other appropriate multilateral peace support and humanitarian relief operations.

At home and in our neighbourhood

20. Within New Zealand and its neighbourhood, the NZDF will be used to:
    • ensure the sovereignty of our EEZ and territorial waters;

    • protect our interests in the Southern Ocean and Ross Dependency;

    • counter any threat posed by terrorism or acts of sabotage;

    • provide support in civil defence and other emergencies;

    • contribute to the Government's social and economic priorities by providing opportunities for training and rewarding careers.

With Australia

21. The NZDF will operate with the Australian Defence Force to protect territorial sovereignty and in support of a secure and peaceful region.

In the South Pacific

22. In the South Pacific, the NZDF will be used to:
    • meet our constitutional responsibilities for defence of the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau;

    • contribute to maintenance of peace and stability in the South Pacific;

    • meet our international obligations for search and rescue and for emergency medical evacuation;

    • strengthen our relationships in the Pacific through our Mutual Assistance Programme (MAP), including providing defence assistance and ODA delivery;

    • assist with surveillance of Pacific Islands countries' EEZs;

    • provide protection for, and if necessary assist in the evacuation of, New Zealand nationals in civil emergencies;

    • provide assistance after natural and humanitarian disasters.

In the Asia-Pacific Region

23. In the Asia-Pacific region the NZDF will:
    • continue to participate in FPDA activities;

    • build upon existing co-operative bilateral defence relations with Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines;

    • develop a broader-based defence dialogue with other nations in East Asia.

24. In East Asia, New Zealand's security policy will include active participation in important regional fora such as APEC and the ASEAN Regional Forum; a constructive approach to regional human rights initiatives; and, where necessary and feasible, mediation and peace support operations.

Globally

25. New Zealand will meet its UN Charter commitments to maintenance of international peace and security. The NZDF will contribute to United Nations and other appropriate multilateral peace support and humanitarian relief operations. Due regard will be given to the increasing complexity and danger of these operations. The Government supports development of a permanent UN military capacity.

PREVIOUS | CONTENTS | NEXT