Search

Gallantry awards being presented today highlight the courage and professionalism of New Zealand forces serving in Afghanistan, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said today.

“The three New Zealand soldiers have shown the highest level of bravery in the face of danger,” said Dr Mapp.

The three men were in a vehicle patrol attacked by insurgents in Afghanistan in August 2010. Lieutenant Tim O’Donnell was killed in the attack.

Two new NH90 helicopters will arrive at Ohakea at 9.30am, after being airlifted from France on board an Antonov AN 124 transport aircraft, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said today.

“These helicopters will provide a quantum leap in capability for the RNZAF,” said Dr Mapp. “The NH90s will give the NZDF better capability to conduct military, counter-terrorism, disaster relief, search and rescue, and other operations.

“The NH90s have over three times the power of the current Iroquois and can carry more than twice the payload further and faster.

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp has announced that a United States company, JDI Holdings, is going to buy the eight remaining Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) retired Skyhawk fighters.

“I am also announcing today that Aermacchis and Strikemasters no longer needed by the RNZAF will go to aviation museums around New Zealand,” said Dr Mapp.

“The Skyhawks, Aermacchis and Strikemasters are an important part of New Zealand’s aviation history and they will make fine exhibits in our aviation museums.”

E te marae e takoto nei
E te whare e tu mai nei
Otira e nga uri Ngati Whatua ki Orakei
Karanga mai, mihi mai, whakatau mai
Tenei taku mihi atu ki a koutou me nga iwi katoa e pae nei
Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa.

Kei te maumahara ki a ratou kua mene atu ki te po
Haere nga mate, haere, haere, haere.

Dr Wayne Mapp is travelling to Singapore today to represent New Zealand at the 40th anniversary of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA).

Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand are the partners in the FPDA – the second oldest military agreement after NATO.

“This multilateral security framework is a tribute to the commitment of these countries, and a comment on the value of long-standing and stable security agreements in these ever-changing times,” said Dr Mapp.

New Zealand is sending five Navy personnel to join Australian forces fighting terrorism and piracy in the Indian Ocean, said Defence Minister Wayne Mapp.

“Threats to maritime security are a growing international problem and we must play our part in the international response,” said Dr Mapp.

“Terrorism, drug smuggling, people smuggling and piracy impact on security, trade and other economic activities of all nations.”

A report on the implications for the NZSAS when the Afghan National Police Crisis Response Unit (CRU) detains Afghan nationals was released today by Defence Minister Wayne Mapp.

The advice, from the Chief of Defence Force (CDF), was reviewed after the recent investigation into detainees undertaken by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

A Bill to modernise management of the Defence Force was introduced to Parliament today by Defence Minister Wayne Mapp.

“The Defence White Paper identified amendments to the Defence Act 1990 that would improve defence management, and realise efficiencies,” said Dr Mapp.

“These changes to the Defence Act 1990 will sit alongside the Defence Capability Plan to position the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) for the challenges of operating in today’s highly-integrated and high-tech military environment.”

New Zealand has welcomed the release of the UNAMA report on detainees in Afghanistan.

“We have checked our procedures since we became aware of this report in early September and are confident that we have robust systems in place,” said Dr Mapp.

“New Zealand has a legal officer at the NATO/ISAF headquarters in Kabul to ensure that proper monitoring occurs,” said Dr Mapp.

Fifteen years ago, following the formation of the first National-led coalition under MMP, three members of Parliament were invited by Ngati Hine to Otiria Marae. Each member was presented with a gift. Two of the gifts were weapons of war, one was a waka huia. The three members were Rt Hon Winston Peters, Hon Tau Henare and myself. There is no prize for guessing who received the waka huia.

The kaumatua told me to fill this treasure box with those things I most valued from my Parliamentary life. So, what are they?

The Minister of Defence, Wayne Mapp, has announced moves to develop a new advanced pilot training capability for the RNZAF. This will include new advanced trainer aircraft.

“In future pilots will train on fast and manoeuvrable aircraft which provide much more rigorous and realistic training. This will prepare them effectively for the demanding military flying they will be called upon to perform in service,” said Dr Mapp.

The Minister of Defence, Wayne Mapp, today launched the new Defence Capability Plan.

“This plan sets out how Defence will carry out the Defence White Paper strategies over the next decade,” said Dr Mapp.

“It will guide our decisions on shaping frontline units and on the equipment and capability they will have. It takes into account affordability, resources and defence priorities”.

Each of the New Zealand Gallantry Awards announced today represents an act of great courage by a New Zealand soldier, said Defence Minister Wayne Mapp.

“These men have all served bravely in the face of danger in Afghanistan. Their individual actions helped save the lives of their comrades in action,” said Dr Mapp.

“The deaths of two NZ SAS troopers in little more than a month are a stark reminder of the dangers of the mission, and the courage needed to overcome them.”

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp has paid tribute to Lance-Corporal Leon Smith, the SAS trooper killed in Afghanistan yesterday.

“Lance-Corporal Smith was a brave and courageous soldier who served his country to his utmost. I would ask media to respect how devastating his death is for his family, and leave them to grieve privately during this difficult time.”

Dr Mapp said the second SAS death in Afghanistan in little more than a month shows just how dangerous this mission is.

“It is an important mission, and we intend to complete the deployment.

The Minister of Defence, Wayne Mapp, has expressed his deep sympathy for the family of an SAS soldier killed in Afghanistan today.

“This morning’s loss of a New Zealand SAS soldier on operations will be mourned by all New Zealanders,” said Dr Mapp.

“Over the last few months there has been an increased tempo of the insurgency in and around Kabul. On every occasion when the SAS deploys with the Afghan Police Crisis Response Unit, there is a risk of New Zealand casualties.

Today marked a new step in the defence relationship between New Zealand and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, said Defence Minister Wayne Mapp after the two countries signed a bilateral Defence Cooperation Arrangement.

The Arrangement was signed today in Auckland by Dr Mapp and Dr Julio Tomas Pinto, Secretary of State for Defence, Timor-Leste, along with Timorese Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.

Dr Mapp said the Arrangement will provide a solid foundation for a long-term bilateral relationship on defence and security issues with Timor-Leste.

Exemplary service by the New Zealand head of the international force in the Sinai has led to him being asked to stay on, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.

“Major General Warren Whiting has done an outstanding job during a time when there has been significant political change in Egypt,” said Dr Mapp.

The Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) has monitored the Peace Agreement between Egypt and Israel since 1982.

The Minister of Defence, Dr Wayne Mapp, has extended his deepest sympathy to the family of Corporal Doug Grant, who was killed in Afghanistan on Friday.

Dr Mapp said the loss will be felt deeply by the Special Air Service and the wider Defence Force.

“We stand with the family and the SAS as we all mourn this brave man,” he said.

The government and the Defence Force will do whatever they can to support his family at this saddest of times.

New igloo-type ammunition storage bunkers, upgraded security systems and a modern explosive processing facility are planned for the Defence Force’s Kauri Point facility, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.

“Kauri Point will get the overhaul it needs to make it a modern facility that best meets the expectations of the community and the requirements of the contemporary defence force,” said Dr Mapp.

The experience of the introduction into service of HMNZS Canterbury has led to much better procedures for introducing new equipment, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said.

“The Defence Force has understood the lessons from the introduction into service of the Canterbury,” said Dr Mapp.

“Resolving the Canterbury contract was one of my first priorities as Minister of Defence,” he said.

There was an $NZ85 million settlement. All 14 rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) are now of a superior and acceptable design.

William Peet has been appointed to the new civilian role of Chief Operating Officer of the New Zealand Defence Force, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.

“The creation of this position expands the expertise of the NZDF’s Executive Leadership Team,” Dr Mapp said.

The new role in the leadership structure was promulgated in last year’s Defence White Paper.

A further six New Zealand aviation museums are to receive retired Air Force fighter jets, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.

The last three of nine Skyhawks earmarked for museums will be sent to:

• New Zealand Warbirds Association (Ardmore)
• Ashburton Aviation Museum
• Warbirds over Wanaka.

Three of the 16 Aermacchi jet trainers will also go on display at museums:

The Air Force’s retired Aermacchi jet trainers are up for tender, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.

The aircraft were withdrawn from service when the Air Combat Force was disestablished in 2001. They will be sold on an “as is, where is” basis, the Minister said.

“We have carefully considered the future of the 16 aircraft. Their age and condition means that they are no longer suitable for military training. Storing them costs money, so a sale by tender is the best option,” he said.

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp is on his way to Singapore, Israel and Europe for a range of meetings in both his portfolios.

Dr Mapp’s first stop is Singapore, where he will take part in the annual Shangri-La Dialogue this weekend.

“New Zealand is a leader in the Asia-Pacific region. The Shangri-La Dialogue is an important component in maintaining close relations with other governments in the area. Most of the region’s Defence Ministers will be there,” he said.