Search

As the multi-agency search and salvage operation off the Kawhia coast draws to a close the Minister of Defence Dr Jonathan Coleman has commended the efforts of the NZ Defence Force, in particular the Royal New Zealand Navy.

“The recovery operation was a particularly complex task that required a high degree of interoperability between government agencies, and the NZ Defence Force for the search and subsequent recovery of the aircraft”, said Dr Coleman.

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman has held a bilateral meeting in Auckland today with Viet Nam’s Minister of National Defence.

The visit by General Phung Quang Thanh is the first to New Zealand by a Viet Nam Minister of National Defence.

“This was a welcome opportunity for a bilateral meeting and we discussed a broad range of defence-related issues in Asia Pacific, as well as opportunities for future co-operation in the region,” said Dr Coleman.

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman says the death of Private Michael Ross is a tragedy that must never be allowed to occur again.

The Court of Inquiry into the death of the soldier who drowned at Lake Moawhango during small boat training is examining all aspects of the incident.

“The Court of Inquiry isn’t completed. I’ll receive a copy of the report only after it has been before the Court’s Assembly Authority for comment and recommended actions,” said Dr Coleman.

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman says the new Chief of Army will be Major General Dave Gawn.

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman is attending the NATO-ISAF summit in Brussels this week to outline New Zealand’s on going commitments in Afghanistan.

“It is a useful opportunity to set out New Zealand’s small but valuable contribution to the international operation in Afghanistan after the departure of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in April,” said Dr Coleman.

Cabinet today agreed on New Zealand’s contribution to Afghanistan beyond the April withdrawal of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) from Bamyan province, in line with the joint ISAF/Afghan transition plan.  

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman say New Zealand will continue to make a small but proportionate military commitment to the international mission in Afghanistan from May 2013, and that we remain committed to international efforts to improve the security and prosperity of Afghanistan.

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman is rejecting claims the NZDF Crib 20 rotation to Bamyan in Afghanistan, which suffered the loss of five lives, was inadequately trained.

The NZ Herald reported today on a critical evaluation report written during CRIB 20’s pre-deployment training.

“The NZDF prides itself on its professional standards. This rotation was assessed by the NZDF as trained to assume full operational duties in Bamyan,” said Dr Coleman.

State Services Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman is urging government agencies to self-nominate for the 2013 Institute of Public Administration New Zealand (IPANZ) Gen-i Public Sector Excellence Awards.

“Public servants are rising to the challenge of delivering better public services. We need to recognise innovative organisations and projects that are delivering meaningful results for Kiwis. These awards celebrate outstanding performances and achievements in the public sector,” Dr Coleman said.

The Royal New Zealand Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessel HMNZS OTAGO has successfully completed its first patrol of the season in the Southern Ocean - one of the world’s most challenging environments.

“It is important to New Zealand and the world that we protect the fragile marine environment of the Southern Ocean by helping to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing,” Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman say an RNZAF C-130 Hercules has landed in cyclone-ravaged Samoa with additional relief supplies.

“At the request of the Samoan Government we sent a Hercules to Apia with essential humanitarian supplies and diesel generators to support the relief and recovery effort,” Mr McCully says.

“There is an urgent need for generators to ensure the Samoa Water Authority can pump and transport water to affected communities.

State Services and Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman has welcomed the release of two reviews in relation to the 2010 ANZAC Day helicopter crash.

The State Services Commission has released an independent review on the Air Force’s implementation of the Court of Inquiry safety recommendations, and also a review of the roles and functions for health and safety in employment in the military context.   

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman and Immigration Minister Nathan Guy have announced a widened assistance package for local staff who have been closely involved with the NZ Defence Force and NZ Police in Bamyan, Afghanistan.

Former interpreters who have resigned from employment with the New Zealand-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in the last two years will also be offered a resettlement option.

Tenders will be sought to upgrade the self-defence and sensor capabilities of the Royal New Zealand navy frigates HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Te Mana, Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman announced today.

“The frigates are a vital part of our Defence Force but the weapons and sensor systems were designed in the late 1980s and require a mid-life upgrade,” said Dr Coleman.

Cabinet has approved a Detailed Business Case and a Request for Tender will be issued by the Ministry of Defence early next year.

Tenders are about to be sought for a new military pilot training capability says Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman.

“The requirement for a modernised pilot training system with suitable aircraft is clear and Cabinet has agreed to the next step in the process with the Ministry of Defence to issue a Request for Tender.

Pilot training is currently conducted using the single engine CT-4E Airtrainers for the primary stage and the twin engine turbo-prop King Air B200s for the advanced stage of the “Wings Course”.

The State Sector and Public Finance Reform Bill concluded its first reading debate in Parliament this afternoon, says State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman.

“This omnibus bill is one of the initiatives by the government as part of its Better Public Services reforms,” said Dr Coleman.

“It is progress towards a more innovative, efficient public sector that delivers better results for New Zealanders,” he said. 

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman today confirmed the departure of the New Zealand platoon from the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

“RAMSI is a great example of a Pacific solution to a Pacific problem. At the request of the Solomon Islands Government, Pacific Island countries helped a friend in serious trouble,” Mr McCully says.

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman is holding talks today with the visiting United Kingdom Minister of State for the Armed Forces.

Dr Coleman and the Rt Hon Andrew Robathan are holding a bilateral meeting in Auckland.  Mr Robathan has been formally welcomed with a powhiri at the Devonport Navy Base.

"This is a useful opportunity to maintain the very good working relationship with the British Armed Forces," said Dr Coleman.

State Services Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman says a new Public Service property strategy is likely to reduce the office space foot print in Wellington by the equivalent of three Reserve Bank buildings.

Dr Coleman says Cabinet has approved the start of a centralised negotiation for future public service office space in the capital with accommodation leases due to expire for five large government agencies.

The leases due to expire include the Ministries of Social Development, Health, Education and Business Innovation and Employment, and the Crown Law Office.

Satisfaction with public services continues to increase according to the latest Kiwis Count survey says State Services Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman.

The survey, released today by the State Services Commission, recorded service quality improving to 74 points out of 100 this quarter, up from 72 points in the last survey. 

“This latest Kiwis Count report shows public service agencies are lifting their game at the front line and that New Zealanders are noticing the improvements,” said Dr Coleman.

Australian Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and New Zealand Minister of Defence Dr Jonathan Coleman met today in Perth for the Annual Australia-New Zealand Defence Ministers meeting.

The Ministers shared perspectives on regional and global security issues, identified areas of further practical Defence cooperation and acknowledged the ultimate sacrifice made by Australian and New Zealand defence personnel in Afghanistan.

Strengthening the Australia-New Zealand Defence Relationship

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman is departing for Perth today to hold talks with the Australian Defence Minister, Stephen Smith.

It will be their first formal talks since they signed the Australia-New Zealand Defence Relationship Review at Melbourne in January this year.

“We have an excellent defence relationship with Australia and this meeting helps ensure the relationship is well maintained or consolidated on a practical level,” said Dr Coleman.

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman has announced the new Vice Chief of Defence Force will be Major General Tim Keating.

Major General Keating, who is currently the Chief of Army, is replacing the current Vice Chief of Defence Force, Rear Admiral Jack Steer, who was recently appointed as Chief of Navy.

“Major General Keating is a respected officer with extensive command and operational experience spanning a 31 year career,” said Dr Coleman.

A group of Afghan interpreters working for the New Zealand Defence Force and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Bamyan will be offered resettlement in New Zealand.

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman and Immigration Minister Nathan Guy announced today an assistance package for the 23 interpreters currently employed by the Provincial Reconstruction Team.

Cabinet approved the package on Tuesday and a process is underway to communicate the decision to the interpreters in Bamyan.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman has announced today that the new Chief of Navy will be Rear Admiral Jack Steer.

Rear Admiral Steer, who is currently the Vice Chief of Defence Force, will take up his new appointment on 1 December, replacing the current Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Tony Parr.

“Rear Admiral Steer has a long career with the Navy and will bring a wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise to the role,” says Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman.