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Minister of Defence Mark Burton has today announced Cabinet approval for a number of projects outlined the Defence Long Term Development Plan (LTDP). These projects will have positive implications across all three services of the New Zealand Defence Force, and signal another major move toward the realisation of the Government’s goal of a modernised, well-equipped and sustainable Defence Force.

I am here to offer the New Zealand Government’s appreciation for and congratulations to you all for 3 Squadron’s outstanding achievements in East Timor.

Minister of Defence Mark Burton has today announced Cabinet approval for the installation of an unclassified United States Air Force (USAF) High Frequency (HF) radio transmitter and receiver at a New Zealand Defence Force communications site. The most likely location is Whenuapai, Waiouru, or Christchurch.

New Zealand’s Defence Force fixed wing transport fleet is to undergo a major transformation.

In an announcement made today, Defence Minister Mark Burton outlined Cabinet’s decision to undertake a major upgrade of New Zealand’s five C-130Hs, as well as the replacement of both of the NZDF’s 727s with 757-200 jet aircraft.

Australia and New Zealand are rivals of long-standing. There is nothing more fierce than competition between our two nations—especially on the sports field—and certainly there is no one we’d rather beat than each other.

I am here to offer the New Zealand Government’s congratulations to all the New Zealand Defence Force personnel who have served in Timor Leste over the past three years. Your record is exemplary and your professionalism and dedication is something that all New Zealanders are proud of.

Defence Minister, Hon Mark Burton, announced today the names of the six organisations short-listed for the supply of vessels for the Royal New Zealand Navy under Project Protector. The project includes the Multi-Role Vessel, and Offshore and Inshore Patrol Vessels.

Upgrades to the runway at Ohakea, New Zealand’s primary air base, will begin before the end of this year, Minister of Defence Mark Burton announced today.

“Ohakea’s runway upgrade was identified in the Defence Long-Term Development Plan (LTDP) as an essential step towards modernising the capability of our Defence Forces as a whole.

Minister of Defence Mark Burton stressed today neither he nor Chief of Defence Force Bruce Ferguson will release any further information pertaining to the recent land mine incident involving three New Zealand SAS soldiers in Afghanistan.

Mark Burton, Minister of Defence, today said the three members of the NZ SAS injured yesterday in Afghanistan when their patrolling vehicle ran over a landmine were doing an important job under demanding environmental and operational conditions.

Minister of Defence Mark Burton today congratulated the New Zealand Defence Force personnel, for their rapid, efficient response to the call for an RNZAF C130 in Bali.

This conference is built around two themes: innovation and excellence. We hear these words bandied around quite a bit these days, but how do they fit into the larger theme of “building a sustainable defence industry?”

Minister of Defence Mark Burton confirmed today that while there was no evidence to suggest that the security of any sensitive material had been breached in Saturday’s break-in at Defence House, a complete security review is already underway.

Twenty-one organisations from the worldwide ship building industry responded to the Invitation-to-Register-Interest for the supply of new RNZN ships under the project title of Project Protector, the Minister of Defence, Mark Burton announced today. “There are 14 countries represented in the 21 registrations”, Mr Burton said.

The government has approved a contribution of up to 10 New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel to the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC), Prime Minister Helen Clark and Minister of Defence Mark Burton said today.

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) members will spend a month in Afghanistan supporting the UN’s efforts to re-build Afghanistan’s damaged infrastructure, the Minister of Defence announced today.

Welcome to the more than 200 delegates attending this New Zealand South Pacific Kiwanis Convention, and in particular to our overseas visitors.