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Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman and US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel have agreed to extend co-operation on peacekeeping initiatives. 

“Our defence relationship with the US is in great shape, and provides a strong platform for working closely together in the future,” says Dr Coleman.

“We have agreed to expand our co-operation on peacekeeping training initiatives. We will be looking for opportunities to support our Asia-Pacific partners to build the capacity of their peacekeeping forces.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says this incident highlights the reality of operations in Afghanistan.

"The work our personnel undertake in Afghanistan is dangerous. Our people are well trained and are prepared to respond to a range of situations," says Dr Coleman.

"While we have a preliminary understanding of what occurred, there will be an investigation into this incident.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman will travel to Washington this weekend for bilateral talks with US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on Monday.

“New Zealand’s defence relationship with the United States is in great shape. I’m looking forward to discussing with Secretary Hagel how we can build on the achievements made in the last year,” says Dr Coleman.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges welcome the start of operations to re-enter Pike River Coal Mine’s main tunnel up to the rock fall.

“The Government has been working closely with Solid Energy to ensure the re-entry plan can be safely carried out. Safety is paramount, and the project will be carefully managed with a risk assessment undertaken at each stage,” says Mr Bridges.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman today met with senior Chinese military chief General Zhao Keshi, member of the Central Military Commission and Director of the General Logistics Department.

“It is great to welcome General Zhao to New Zealand. He is the most senior Chinese official to visit this year across government, and the most senior People’s Liberation Army visitor since 2010,” says Dr Coleman.

“New Zealand engages with a wide range of defence partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman and Police Minister Anne Tolley welcome the introduction of new meritorious service medals to recognise outstanding service by personnel in the NZ Defence Force and NZ Police.

“We have some great people in the Defence Force, and it is important to recognise and reward outstanding service,” says Dr Coleman.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomes the visit by a Chinese Navy Task Force, and says it reflects New Zealand’s wider engagement with defence partners from the Asia-Pacific region.

“It is in New Zealand’s interests to promote greater levels of engagement with a wide range of defence partners. This visit fits into our wider regional engagement programme,” says Dr Coleman.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson and Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman are holding talks this week with visiting UK Minister for International Security Strategy, Dr Andrew Murrison.

“As the UK’s Special Representative for the Centenary Commemoration of the First World War, Dr Murrison’s visit to New Zealand is a good opportunity to discuss the commemoration programme,” says Mr Finlayson.

Associate Minister of Finance Jonathan Coleman and Commerce Minister Craig Foss welcome the signing of the Asia Region Funds Passport Statement of Intent at the APEC Finance Ministers meeting.

“The Asia Region Funds Passport is an excellent initiative that will provide real benefits to New Zealand and other countries in the region,” says Dr Coleman.

Labour is not playing straight on safety in the Defence Force, says Defence Minister, Jonathan Coleman.

“The fact is Labour did nothing to address safety issues in Defence during its time in office.

“Sadly there were 8 accidental deaths in Defence over the past 5 years, and 8 deaths in the 5 years prior to that period. One death is one too many.

Associate Minister of Finance Jonathan Coleman is attending this week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) annual meeting of Finance Ministers.

“It is important that APEC Finance Ministers come together to discuss the key economic development issues facing the Asia-Pacific region,” says Dr Coleman.

"New Zealand actively engages with our regional partners. APEC provides a crucial forum where nations can discuss issues, share new ideas and build common approaches.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomes today’s release of the external review of health and safety in the New Zealand Defence Force.

"I expect health and safety to be a top priority for the NZDF. It is crucial our people operate in an environment where the proper safety procedures are followed,” says Dr Coleman.

“I asked the NZDF to commission an external review to address questions raised around the culture of health and safety. Avoidable deaths are not acceptable.”

About 20 government departments and agencies will be relocating into the Christchurch CBD in 2016 to support the city’s recovery.

“Today’s announcement by Prime Minister John Key is very welcome news,” says Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee.

“The Government is committed to the revitalisation of Christchurch and delivering the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan. The CBD has been all but closed since the earthquakes and government agencies had to relocate across the city in temporary office space.”

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says the NZ Army is co-hosting a major gathering of top Army personnel from 29 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

“For the first time in over 20 years, the NZ Army is co-hosting a major event on the Pacific Armies calendar,” says Dr Coleman. “The NZ Army has a good working relationship with the US Army, and it is great that New Zealand was asked to co-host this event with the US.”

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman today congratulated the New Zealand Defence Force on the recognition it received at the ANZ and EEO Trust Diversity Awards.

The NZDF’s support structure for LGBTIQ staff, Operation OverWatch, picked up the supreme award and the NZDF/MSD Youth Development Unit received a highly commended award for its residential course.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman is joining his counterparts at the second ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Brunei, a key security forum bringing together the ten ASEAN nations and regional partners. 

“New Zealand has an important stake in the security of the Asia-Pacific region. The ADMM-Plus provides a key opportunity to develop practical cooperation and strengthen relationships within the region,” says Dr Coleman.

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman and Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain say the Kiwis Count Channels 2013 report shows a growing number of New Zealanders look for information or deal with public services online.

“This report finds the internet is now the preferred channel for Kiwis looking for information on public services or dealing with public services,” says Dr Coleman.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman has met with Australian, US and Chinese participants who are taking part in Exercise Phoenix Spirit, a NZ hosted defence planning exercise in Christchurch.

“This is the first time that Australia, the United States and China are contributing to a humanitarian disaster relief planning exercise in New Zealand,” says Dr Coleman.

Associate Minister of Finance Jonathan Coleman says New Zealand’s Community Trusts have made a significant contribution across New Zealand during the last 25 years.

“I would like to congratulate all 12 Community Trusts on 25 years of grant-making in support of their local communities,” says Dr Coleman.

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman says reducing the government’s footprint and achieving significant savings in office accommodation spend are key aims of the national accommodation strategy released today.

“In the past government agencies have negotiated leases in isolation, this strategy means that a central approach will be taken,” says Dr Coleman.

“We expect to reduce the government’s occupied footprint nationally by around 25 per cent in the next three to four years, producing annual savings of around $110 million.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman has met with participants taking part in a defence multinational and interagency planning exercise based on a major earthquake disaster in Wellington.

“Given the recent earthquakes in Wellington which have naturally unsettled people, it is very timely that this exercise is taking place,” says Dr Coleman.

I’d like to begin by thanking our hosts IPANZ and Deloitte for bringing together senior public servants, partners from across the public and private sectors, and many of you who took the time to help shape this new Act.

An article in the Sunday Star Times by Nicky Hager made two main allegations against the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).

The article alleges that the NZDF had copies of journalist Jon Stephenson’s phone metadata in Afghanistan.

“The Defence Force has assured me that this is not something that they would regard as a legitimate practice. I would be most concerned if this had occurred,” says Dr Coleman.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman acknowledges the NZDF’s guilty plea on a Health and Safety charge and the release of the Court of Inquiry into the death of Private Michael Ross.

“This was an absolute tragedy and my thoughts are with the Ross family as they continue to mourn Michael. I know today’s guilty plea will be little consolation for their devastating loss,” says Dr Coleman.

“The Defence Force has apologised to the Ross family, and it takes full responsibility for the safety failings that led to his death.”