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Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman have announced a second New Zealand Defence Force C-130 flight will be made to the Solomon Islands.

“Assessments on the ground have reinforced the need for a further C-130 flight to transport additional supplies to help support the relief effort after the severe flooding on Guadalcanal,” Mr McCully says.

“The C-130 will carry additional relief supplies and technical experts to assist with relief and recovery work being carried out by the Solomon Islands Government.”

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman acknowledges the hard work of the New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 Orion crew who are today handing over to a new crew who will continue searching for missing Malaysian MH370 flight.

“I would like to thank the crew of the RNZAF Orion who have worked tirelessly during the last 18 days, playing their part in the international search effort. They have done a thoroughly professional job,” says Dr Coleman.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman has today announced that the new Chief of Air Force will be Air Commodore Mike Yardley.

Dr Coleman is also pleased to announce the Chief of Defence Force has appointed Air Vice-Marshal Kevin Short to the role of Vice Chief of Defence Force, and Brigadier Tim Gall will be the new Commander Joint Forces New Zealand.

“I congratulate Air Vice-Marshal Kevin Short, Air Commodore Mike Yardley and Brigadier Gall on their new appointments. I am confident they will make great contributions during their tenure,” says Dr Coleman.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says a Royal New Zealand Air Force P3 Orion will relocate to Australia to continue searching for the missing Malaysian MH370 flight.

“New Zealand is committed to playing our part in the international search effort for the missing MH370 flight. Our thoughts remain with the families who are waiting for news on their loved ones,” says Dr Coleman.

The Government agrees with the Medallic Recognition Joint Working Group’s report that military personnel who served in South-East Asia have been appropriately recognised and additional medallic recognition is not justified.

“I know today’s decision will be disappointing for the former service men and women who have petitioned for additional medallic recognition,” says Dr Coleman.

“I would like to thank those who made submissions, and also the Joint Working Group who conducted a comprehensive review of the issue.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says the crew of HMNZS Te Mana should be proud of their contribution to international anti-piracy efforts.

“HMNZS Te Mana has today arrived back in New Zealand after a highly successful three month deployment supporting anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden region,” says Dr Coleman.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman is joining his international counterparts at this week’s NATO-ISAF Defence Ministers meeting in Brussels.

“The NATO-ISAF summit is a good opportunity to discuss the ISAF drawdown and planning for NATO’s post-2014 training, advice and assistance mission in Afghanistan,” says Dr Coleman.

“New Zealand remains committed to supporting the final stages of the ISAF mission in Afghanistan to December 2014. It is important to secure the gains made by the international community over the last decade.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says the New Zealand Navy’s largest exercise in decades gets underway in Auckland today.

“With over 600 personnel from 14 nations and five military ships from New Zealand, Australia, and the Republic of Korea, this is a significant exercise for the New Zealand Navy,” says Dr Coleman.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomes today’s release of the Ministry of Defence’s review into the experiences of women in uniform in the NZDF.

“I asked the Ministry to conduct this review as it is important the NZDF is a place where women can develop a good career and achieve their full potential,” says Dr Coleman.

“The review shows the NZDF is making good progress, however more work is needed to recruit and retain more women in uniform, and to see them advance into senior roles.

US Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus will hold a number of meetings in Wellington on Monday as part of a wider visit to the region.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says it is a good opportunity to discuss upcoming defence exercises and other engagement activities. Secretary Mabus and Dr Coleman last met in Washington last October.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman has congratulated newly promoted Lieutenant General Tim Keating, who has today assumed command of the NZ Defence Force.

“It has been a fitting ceremony to mark the departure of out-going Chief of Defence Force (CDF), Lieutenant General Rhys Jones, who has handed-over to Lieutenant General Keating,” says Dr Coleman.

“I would like to thank Lieutenant General Jones for his service to New Zealand. He leaves the Defence Force after a distinguished 35-year career.

The Government has awarded the contract to deliver a new and more effective military pilot training system to Beechcraft Defense Company.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman has congratulated Beechcraft and associated companies including New Zealand based Safe Air Limited on being selected to supply the NZ Defence Force’s new pilot training capability.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says Navy frigate HMNZS Te Mana will participate in NATO’s anti-piracy mission, Operation Ocean Shield, for three weeks from 23 January 2014.

“New Zealand is committed to international efforts to tackle piracy. As a trading nation New Zealand appreciates the importance of maritime security,” says Dr Coleman.

“HMNZS Te Mana has spent the past six weeks successfully operating in the Gulf of Aden supporting the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a multi-national naval partnership of 30 nations.

New Zealand will maintain its current level of support for international efforts in Afghanistan until December 2014, the Government says.

Twenty seven New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel are currently deployed in behind-the-wire roles based in Kabul, including at the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) headquarters, ISAF Special Operations Forces headquarters, and Afghan National Army Officer Academy (ANAOA).

Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman, New Zealand’s Minister of Defence and his Australian counterpart, Senator David Johnston, met today in Auckland for the annual Australia-New Zealand Defence Ministers’ meeting.

Both Ministers reiterated the importance and mutual benefit of a close bilateral defence partnership.  Senator Johnston was pleased to affirm the new Government’s strong commitment to this close bond.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman is holding bilateral talks with his Australian counterpart, Senator David Johnston in Auckland today.

“New Zealand has a strong defence relationship with Australia, and I look forward to working closely with Senator Johnston,” says Dr Coleman.

“As part of our bilateral meeting, we will be discussing the current security issues in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as identifying areas where New Zealand and Australia can further develop our practical defence co-operation.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says the Government will not be paying further compensation to George and Damien Nepata.

“I know today’s decision will be disappointing for George and Damien Nepata,” says Dr Coleman.

“While I have huge sympathy for the brothers who were tragically injured in two separate incidents, it is clear there have been no substantive changes to their case since Cabinet considered the issue ten years ago.

Phil Goff is again misleading New Zealanders by creating a false picture of the state of the Defence Force, says Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman.

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

Currently the Vice Chief of Defence Force, Major General Keating will be promoted to Lieutenant General and will take over from Lieutenant General Rhys Jones on 1 February 2014 for a three year term.

“I congratulate Major General Keating on his new appointment as Chief of Defence Force,” says Dr Coleman. “I would also like to thank outgoing Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jones for his service to New Zealand.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says the NZDF has officially received 40 new Medium-Heavy Operational Vehicles at a handover ceremony in Auckland today, just seven months after they were purchased.

“The new Rheinmetall-MAN military medium and heavy vehicles are a significant step up in capability for the NZDF, replacing the old Unimog and Mercedes trucks. They are designed for modern military operations and offer better mobility, better protection, enhanced technology, and greater capacity.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman today praised the work of the Royal New Zealand Air Force in the Philippines as the C-130 Hercules stationed in Tacloban prepares to return to New Zealand.

“Typhoon Haiyan had a catastrophic impact on parts of the Philippines, leaving more than 5000 people dead and destroying more than one million homes,” Mr McCully says.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman has held successful talks with China’s Minister of National Defense, General Chang Wanquan.

“It has been great to visit China for the first time in my role as Minister of Defence,” says Dr Coleman. “It has also been good to reciprocate the many visits to New Zealand by senior members of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), including General Zhao Keshi’s recent visit.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomes the signing of a new defence co-operation arrangement with Viet Nam.

“This arrangement reaffirms the value New Zealand places on our defence relationship with Viet Nam,” says Dr Coleman.

“The Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Co-operation formalises our relationship and provides a strong framework to enhance future defence co-operation in areas of mutual interest. It also forms the basis of another important strand in the wider New Zealand-Viet Nam relationship.

HMNZS OTAGO departs Dunedin today to monitor fishing activities in the Southern Ocean.

New Zealand-designated Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) inspectors from the Ministry for Primary Industries will be on board to conduct compliance checks on the Southern Ocean’s legal fishing fleet.

“New Zealand takes its commitment to Southern Ocean conservation seriously.  It is vital that, as a CCAMLR member, we play our part in tackling illegal fishing activities,” Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says.