Portfolio: Defence

NZ to help election in PNG

Admin — Thu, 31 May 2012 00:33:00 +0000

Murray McCully | Defence

The New Zealand Defence Force is assisting the upcoming June election in Papua New Guinea, Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman announced today. “Following a request from the PNG government, New Zealand will support the local authorities in the delivery of a safe, free and fair election by providing logistical support and observers,” Mr McCully says. “We will work alongside the Australian Defence Force which is also assisting in the election process.” ...

Govt delivers on Defence White Paper reforms

Admin — Thu, 24 May 2012 02:13:00 +0000

Jonathan Coleman | Budget 2012

The New Zealand Defence Force is to retain about $142 million a year in operating savings it has freed up to improve its military capability, delivering on the Government’s promise in the Defence White Paper. The 2010 Defence White Paper signalled that existing Defence Force resources should be redistributed to deliver a well-equipped and modern Defence Force. By 2014/15, the Defence Force will identify $350 million to $400 million a year in ongoing operating savings that will be retained for redistribution to frontline capabilities. ...

NZ backs UN mission, extends refugee support

Beehive — Mon, 07 May 2012 05:56:00 +0000

Murray McCully | Defence

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today announced further support for international efforts in Syria, including an offer to deploy additional military observers. New Zealand has offered the UN’s Supervision Mission in Syria a team of five New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel. Should the offer be accepted, the team will replace two NZDF personnel temporarily redeployed to the mission. ...

Australia and New Zealand release bilateral Defence Framework

Beehive — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:29:00 +0000

Jonathan Coleman | Defence

Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith and New Zealand Minister of Defence Dr Jonathan Coleman today reaffirmed their commitment to ANZAC Defence cooperation with the release of the Review into the Australia-New Zealand Defence Relationship. Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. Close security cooperation continues to this day with combined operations in the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste. ...

ANZAC spirit alive and well

Beehive — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:44:00 +0000

Jonathan Coleman | Defence

The Minister of Defence says tomorrow’s Anzac Day commemorations will acknowledge the courage and sacrifices forged by New Zealand and Australian defence staff stretching from Gallipoli 97 years ago to the present day. This is Dr Coleman’s first Anzac Day as the Minister of Defence and he is especially focused on the ANZAC legacy and the link to the men and women serving New Zealand today. ...

NZ to send two observers to Syria

Beehive — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:38:00 +0000

Jonathan Coleman | Defence

The Minister of Defence has confirmed two New Zealand Defence Force staff are being offered to the UN Mission in Syria. The United Nations made an urgent request last week for New Zealand and other countries to consider the immediate and temporary redeployment of UN Military Observers currently deployed with the UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) in the Middle East to join an advance UN monitoring team of up to 30 personnel in Syria. ...

US Troops join New Zealand Military Exercise

Beehive — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:57:00 +0000

Jonathan Coleman | Defence

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman has announced that the New Zealand Defence Force is hosting United States military personnel in an exercise to be held in the central North Island later this month. 35 US Marines and 41 US Army personnel will participate alongside New Zealand forces in Exercise Alam Halfa starting on 26 April. The US personnel will exercise with members of the New Zealand Army's 1st Brigade. ...

Defence Minister saddened by death of NZ Soldier

Beehive — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:04:00 +0000

Jonathan Coleman | Defence

The Minister of Defence, Dr Jonathan Coleman, says he is saddened to learn of the death today of a New Zealand soldier serving with the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan. The death was not the result of a combat operation and does not appear to involve the actions of another party. The government offers its condolences to the man’s family and loved ones. Dr Coleman says the New Zealand Defence Force will provide more information tomorrow. The Minister says an appropriate investigation will be held into the matter. ...

Minister: Job well done NZSAS

Beehive — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 21:57:00 +0000

Jonathan Coleman | Defence

The Minister of Defence, Dr Jonathan Coleman, today formally acknowledged the contribution of the New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment in Afghanistan as the two-and-half year deployment comes to an end. The NZSAS were posted to Afghanistan in September 2009 – the fourth deployment of the unit to Afghanistan. This current mission officially ceased on 31 March, 2012. “The New Zealand Government deployed NZ Defence Force personnel to Afghanistan to help ensure Al Qaeda could not maintain safe havens in Afghanistan from which to plan further attacks.” ...

Defence Minister congratulates Air Force on 75th anniversary

Beehive — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 05:23:00 +0000

Jonathan Coleman | Defence

The Minister of Defence, Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman, has formally thanked the RNZAF for its 75 years of service to New Zealand. A function in Parliament tonight was the first event to commemorate the 75 years since the RNZAF became an independent armed service. “It has been 75 years of a job well done and worthy of recognition,” said Dr Coleman. “Throughout its history the RNZAF has contributed to the maintenance of peace; either through allied contributions in wartime, or to peacekeeping throughout the world.” ...

Defence Minister on base visits

Admin — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:04:00 +0000

Jonathan Coleman | Defence

Defence Minister, Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman, is spending today and tomorrow visiting several New Zealand Defence Force bases. The base visits allow him to meet personnel of different ranks, meet different units, and be briefed on the capabilities of assorted defence equipment. The Minister is visiting the Ohakea Air Force base this morning, the Linton Army Camp this afternoon, and the Burnham Army Camp tomorrow. Tomorrow evening Dr Coleman will also speak at the 75th anniversary of the RNZAF function being held at the Beehive. ...

Speech to the NH90 Welcoming Ceremony

Beehive — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 23:05:00 +0000

Jonathan Coleman | Defence

Your Excellency the Governor General Your Excellencies: Ambassador Etienne Ambassador Meister ...

New NH90 Helicopters launched

Admin — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:02:00 +0000

Jonathan Coleman | Defence

The Defence Minister, Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman, officially welcomed the first of the Air Force’s new medium utility NH90 helicopters at an event in Wellington today. The NH90 helicopters will be the most advanced and capable helicopter the Air Force has ever had,” said Dr Coleman. “The NH90s will considerably improve the Defence Force’s ability to conduct military, counter-terrorism, disaster relief, search and rescue, and other operations,” he said. ...

Unknown NZ Soldier Laid to Rest

Beehive — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:05:00 +0000

Jonathan Coleman | Defence

A ceremony to rebury the remains of a New Zealand soldier was held at Messines Ridge British Cemetery near Ieper, Belgium on Friday 3 February. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Defence, Dr Jonathan Coleman, the Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Rhys Jones, the Secretary of Defence, John McKinnon, the New Zealand Ambassador (Belgium), Vangelis Vitalis, and the Head of Defence Staff, New Zealand High Commission Brigadier Antony (Lofty) Hayward. ...

Reburial of unknown New Zealand Soldier, Messines Ridge

Beehive — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:53:00 +0000

Jonathan Coleman | Defence

Thank you Burgemeester Evrard Your excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Today’s ceremony is a chance to reflect on the sacrifices of a generation of young New Zealanders who gave their lives in Flanders. It is also a time to acknowledge the people of Flanders and Belgium for looking after the sons of New Zealand in remembrance of that terrible experience of almost a century ago. The ties that bind our countries were forged here and will never be broken. ...

ISAF Defence Ministers Meeting Intervention statement by New Zealand Minister of Defence Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman

Beehive — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:56:00 +0000

Jonathan Coleman | Defence

Secretary General It is a pleasure to attend my first meeting of NATO’s North Atlantic Council with its ISAF partners and I look forward to working with you and all my colleagues around the table in the months and years ahead. Secretary General, today’s discussion provides an important opportunity to further refine and shape the strategic plan for Afghanistan that will be adopted at the Chicago Summit in just over three months time. ...

Australian and New Zealand Defence Ministers launch new Defence Relationship Framework

Beehive — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 10:24:00 +0000

Jonathan Coleman | Defence

Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith today met with New Zealand’s newly appointed Minister of Defence Dr Jonathan Coleman for the Ministers’ first formal bilateral meeting. The meeting was held in Melbourne in conjunction with the annual Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting between Prime Ministers and senior Cabinet Ministers today. The Ministers announced a new Australia-New Zealand Defence Relationship Framework, which builds on the ANZAC tradition and the longstanding comprehensive defence relationship between Australia and New Zealand. ...

Defence Minister attends ISAF Defence Ministers meeting

Beehive — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:11:00 +0000

Jonathan Coleman | Defence

The Minister of Defence is attending defence talks in Europe next week after the bilateral meeting with the Australian Defence Minister and attending the joint Australian New Zealand Cabinet meeting in Melbourne this weekend. On Sunday evening Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman will travel to London to meet defence leaders and to hold talks related to his State Services portfolio. ...

Improved satellite communications for NZDF

Beehive — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:01:00 +0000

Jonathan Coleman | Defence

The NZ Defence Force is joining an international partnership to give it guaranteed satellite communications for the next 20 years, Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman announced today. “This gives a significant boost to our forces’ capacity both at home and overseas,” said Dr Coleman. “It will increase our access to satellite broadband more than twenty-fold, with guaranteed access and at a fixed price, ensuring better value for money.” ...

Ministers reaffirm ANZAC Defence Cooperation

Beehive — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 02:33:00 +0000

Jonathan Coleman | Defence

The Australian and New Zealand Defence Ministers held talks on the Australia-New Zealand bilateral defence relationship over the weekend. ...