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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.

State Services Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman and Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew welcomed the release of a new survey showing positive progress for women in the public sector.

The State Services Commission has today released its 2012 Human Resources Capability Survey which has recorded in increase in the number of women appointed to senior leadership roles.

“At just over 42 per cent, we now have the highest percentage of women in senior leadership positions since the HRC survey began,” Mrs Goodhew said.

Minister of Defence Dr Jonathan Coleman and Chief of Army Major General Tim Keating today visited Kiwi troops at North Camp in the Sinai Peninsula.

"It was a great opportunity to talk with our 28 strong Kiwi contingent who form part of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) deployment that helps maintain peace between Israel and Egypt in the Sinai," said Dr Coleman.

"Our people are doing an excellent job as drivers, trainers and key operational planning personnel who contribute a huge amount to the MFO," he said.

El Alamein, Egypt

Speech by the Honourable Dr Jonathan Coleman, Minister of Defence

Distinguished guests, veterans, serving New Zealand Defence Force Personnel, ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege to address you on this significant occasion.

We are gathered here to commemorate New Zealand's part in the Second Battle of El Alamein, and more generally, the North African campaign of the Second World War.

The Defence Minister is travelling to Egypt to attend the 70th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of El Alamein.

Dr Coleman will join a contingent of veterans attending the commemorations of a battle significant for the 2nd New Zealand Division during its World War Two North African campaign.

The Minister will also use the trip to visit the New Zealand contingent serving with the Multinational Force and Observers group (MFO) in the Sinai.

He will also hold talks with the Director General of the MFO, David Satterfield.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman expresses the Government’s condolences to the family of Private Michael Ross, after Police and Navy divers located his body in Lake Moawhango yesterday.

Private Ross was an experienced serviceman who had served his country well both in New Zealand and in Timor Leste.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman has been in Afghanistan over the past few days to visit the New Zealand Defence Force Provincial Reconstruction Team, as well as to hold talks with officials in Bamyan and Kabul.

“The visit was an opportunity to offer support to the PRT for the important work it has been performing in providing security to the Province,” said Dr Coleman.

Defence Minister, Jonathan Coleman, says the newly appointed Secretary of Defence will bring valuable skills and experience to the job.

The State Services Commissioner announced today that Helene Quilter will take over as Secretary of Defence on December 1st 2012.

“I am very pleased with Helene Quilter’s appointment. She is well qualified for the job. Ms Quilter is currently Deputy Commissioner at the State Services Commission were she played a leadership role with the central agency team responsible for Defence White Paper reforms,” said Dr Coleman.

The Defence Minister is welcoming the pay rise announced for New Zealand Defence Force staff today.

The Chief of the Defence Force, Lieutenant General Rhys Jones, announced to Defence Force employees that $45 million has been allocated for pay rises.

The Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman has announced the United States Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, will visit New Zealand towards the end of next week.

It will be the first visit to New Zealand by a United States Secretary of Defense in 30 years.

“The New Zealand government is looking forward to hosting Secretary Panetta. His visit is a reflection of the excellent state of the relationship between our two countries,” said Dr Coleman.

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman and Singapore’s Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen have held their first bilateral talks in Parliament today.

Dr Ng is in Wellington on his first official visit to New Zealand as Singapore’s Minister for Defence.

During their meeting, Dr Coleman and Dr Ng discussed a wide range of defence and security issues, and reaffirmed the close and longstanding defence relationship between New Zealand and Singapore.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman today confirmed Cabinet has agreed the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) will be withdrawn from Bamyan province in Afghanistan by the end of April 2013.

The Ministers say the announcement is the culmination of months of planning and is part of an orderly and sequenced International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) plan for transition.