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Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says the NZDF is providing assistance to the community of Whataroa in Southern Westland in the wake of the recent significant storm damage.

“I asked the NZDF to provide appropriate assistance to Whataroa to help with the extensive clean-up following the recent storm,” says Dr Coleman.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says Anzac Day will be especially poignant this year with the start of WWI centenary commemorations.

“Tomorrow marks the 99th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, and New Zealanders at home and overseas will come together to honour those who gave their lives whilst serving their country in past and recent times,” says Dr Coleman.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says the first batch of new Medium-Heavy Operational Vehicles have been delivered to NZDF units.

“It is great to see these vehicles being used by the NZDF just 12 months on from when they were purchased,” says Dr Coleman.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman joined Defence Force personnel including the Vice Chief of Defence Force Air Vice-Marshal Kevin Short, to collect donations for the annual Poppy Day appeal in Wellington today.

“Poppy Day is one of New Zealand’s oldest nationwide appeals, and it is great to see New Zealanders give their support. These donations are vital to local Returned and Services’ Association’s so they can continue to help veterans, ex-service personnel, and their families,” says Dr Coleman.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman will meet with Admiral Samuel Locklear Commander of US Pacific Command on Monday.

“I am looking forward to meeting with Admiral Locklear to discuss our bilateral defence relationship and key security issues facing the Asia-Pacific region. The US Pacific Command is a major contributor to defence and security within our region,” says Dr Coleman.

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.”

Associate Minister of Finance Jonathan Coleman departs New Zealand today for Washington to attend this week’s G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting.

“This is an important opportunity to meet with finance ministers from the world’s largest economies to discuss key economic challenges, including strategies for growth and employment, and building a resilient global economy,” says Dr Coleman.

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman says there are fewer back office staff in the public service than in 2008.

“Under the previous Labour Government numbers in the core public service drastically escalated without any improvement in public services,” says Dr Coleman.

“The Government introduced a cap on core government administration when we came into office and we lowered it again in 2011. We continue to remain below the cap we set of 36,475.

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.

The latest update of the Government’s Better Public Services initiative shows significant gains continue to be made, though challenges remain in achieving these ambitious goals, Finance Minister Bill English and State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman say.

The Government today published the latest six-monthly progress report on its 10 Better Public Service Result areas.

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.

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman says it is important to recognise success in the public sector through the 2014 Institute of Public Administration New Zealand (IPANZ) Gen-i Public Sector Excellence Awards. 

“I encourage all Government agencies to nominate themselves for the IPANZ Awards for projects or initiatives which have achieved great results,” says Dr Coleman.

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.