The Ministry purchases large items of military equipment approved by the Government and manages each contract through to delivery. As well, the Ministry audits a range of New Zealand Defence Force functions to ensure that these are carried out economically and efficiently. The Government's Defence Policy Framework was released. This document provides the overarching, strategic guidance for the Government's approach to defence. The Government's defence policy has been guided by, and builds on, the report by Parliament's Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee Inquiry into Defence Beyond 2000, released in 1999.
Defence is one aspect of New Zealand's foreign and security policy.
The Government believes that a comprehensive approach to security is the best way to protect New Zealand's interests and to promote regional stability and global peace. The primary reason for maintaining a defence force is to secure New Zealand against external threats, to protect our sovereign interests, and to be able to take action to meet likely contingencies in our strategic area of interest. New Zealand will work collaboratively with like-minded partners. In this context, there is no strategic partnership closer than that with Australia. New Zealand has special obligations to Pacific neighbours to assist in maintaining peace, preserving the environment, promoting good governance and helping achieve economic well being.