Articles tagged with Defence
New Legislation Enhances Defence Force Workforce Management for National Security
3 days ago | 119 viewsNew legislation introduced by Defence Minister Judith Collins allows the Chief of Defence Force to redeploy uniformed personnel to fill roles of striking civilian staff, ensuring national security during industrial action. The Defence (Workforce) Amendment Bill expands the Minister's authority to include instances where national security and core defence functions are at risk, such as security at military bases and aircraft maintenance. The bill aims to address challenges faced during previous industrial actions and will be open for public submissions when referred to a select committee in September 2025.
Tags: Chief of Defence Force CDF workforce national security industrial action Defence Minister Judith Collins Defence Act New Zealand Defence Force civilian staffNew Zealand Defence Force Announces $2.7 Billion Investment in Seahawk Helicopters and Airbus Planes
1 week ago | 226 viewsSeahawk helicopters and Airbus planes are set to replace aging New Zealand Defence Force aircraft as part of the Government’s Defence Capability Plan, with a $2.7 billion investment announced by Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters. The MH-60R Seahawk will replace maritime helicopters, while the Airbus A321XLR will replace the aging 757 fleet, aiming to enhance combat capability and respond to international events. These investments are part of the $12 billion planned commitments outlined in the 2025 DCP, reflecting the Government's response to the deteriorating security environment and the need for reliable aircraft for military operations and humanitarian aid.
Tags: Seahawk helicopters Airbus planes New Zealand Defence Force Defence Capability Plan Judith Collins Winston Peters Airbus A321XLR maritime helicopters Anzac forceMinister Judith Collins Unveils RNZAF No. 5 Squadron Headquarters at Ohakea with State-of-the-Art Infrastructure
2 weeks ago | 156 viewsMinister of Defence Judith Collins inaugurated the new headquarters of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s No. 5 Squadron at Ohakea, housing four P-8A Poseidon aircraft. The facility, named Te Whare Toroa - The Home of the Albatross, offers modern infrastructure to support maritime surveillance, resource protection, and disaster response efforts. The project aligns with the Government's commitment to enhance Defence capabilities, with planned investments of $12 billion over the next four years and a focus on generating employment opportunities in regional economies.
Tags: Minister of Defence Judith Collins Royal New Zealand Air Force No. 5 Squadron Te Whare Toroa Albatross RNZAF Defence personnel Defence Capability Plan New ZealandNew Zealand and Japan Forge Logistics Agreement to Enhance Defence Cooperation
1 month ago | 482 viewsNew Zealand and Japan are developing a logistics agreement to support ongoing defence cooperation between our two countries, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins have announced. “Japan is a crucial partner for New Zealand,” Mr Peters says following a meeting with Japanese counterpart Iwaya Takeshi at the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur today. “We are both committed to the international rules-based system, and to maintaining security and prosperity in our region.
Tags: New Zealand Japan Defence Minister Judith Collins Foreign Minister Winston Peters Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement logistics agreement Iwaya Takeshi East Asia Summit Information Security AgreementNew Zealand Air Force Reactivates No. 62 Squadron for Space Security Mission
1 month ago | 1127 viewsThe Royal New Zealand Air Force has established its first dedicated space unit with the reactivation of the No. 62 Squadron today, Defence Minister Judith Collins says. “This reflects our commitment to protecting New Zealand’s interests and security in the rapidly evolving space domain,” Ms Collins says.
Tags: Royal New Zealand Air Force space unit No. 62 Squadron Defence Minister Judith Collins space security RNZAF Base Auckland World War II radar technology space domain awareness New Zealand Defence ForceNew All-of-Government Data Centre Enhances Secure Digital Storage Capabilities for NZ Agencies
2 months ago | 1044 viewsThe government’s secure digital storage capability has been significantly boosted with the opening of the new all-of-government data centre, the Minister Responsible for the GCSB and Minister of Defence Judith Collins says. “This facility will provide a safe, secure storage capability for New Zealand agencies to process and store some of the government’s most sensitive information for the next quarter of a century,” says Ms Collins. “Today we conduct the vast majority of our business digitally, and the amount of government data that requires safe and secure storage is only going to increase.
Tags: Base auckland Collins Defence Digitising government Government communications security bureau Judith collins New zealand New zealand defence force Royal new zealand air force WhenuapaiNew Employment Law Allows Employers to Deduct Pay During Partial Strikes for Fairer Bargaining
2 months ago | 591 viewsThe Government has passed a change to the Employment Relations Act that reinstates the ability for employers to make pay deductions during partial strikes – making the system fairer for all, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced today. “These changes will help both employers and unions to return to the bargaining table and restores the law to what it was before the previous government removed this option in 2018. “I acknowledge the right of workers to strike in support of their collective bargaining claims, the right to strike remains,” says Ms van Velden.
Tags: Brooke van v Defence Employment relations act Workplace relations and safetyNew Zealand Infrastructure Minister Urges Public Feedback on Draft National Infrastructure Plan for Economic Growth and Better Value
2 months ago | 617 viewsInfrastructure Minister Chris Bishop encourages New Zealanders to have their say on the draft National Infrastructure Plan released today by the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission. “Improving the way we plan, fund, maintain and build our infrastructure is critical to boosting economic growth and increasing productivity and living standards, and so the Government welcomes today’s draft report by the independent Infrastructure Commission. “Contrary to many perceptions, New Zealand spends a lot on infrastructure.
Tags: Chris bishop Commission Defence Infrastructure commission National infrastructure plan New zealand New zealand infrastructure commissionNZ response to developments in Middle East
2 months ago | 580 viewsThe Government continues to call for diplomacy and dialogue in the Middle East, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “We acknowledge developments in the last 24 hours, including President Trump’s announcement of US strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran,” Mr Peters says. “Ongoing military action in the Middle East is extremely worrying, and it is critical further escalation is avoided.
Tags: Auckland C - 130j Collins Defence Hercules Judith collins Middle east New zealand New zealand defence force Winston peters ZealandNorthland Communities Rebuild with $3.59 Million Cyclone Relief Grants from Special Lotto Draw
2 months ago | 601 viewsMinister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says that communities in Northland are benefitting from $3. 59 million in grants from funds raised through a special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief, two years later. “Cyclone Gabrielle had a devasting impact on Northland, causing widespread destruction to property and requiring significant relief efforts.
Tags: Auckland Bay of plenty Brooke van velden Cyclone gabrielle appeal trust East coast Gabrielle Hawke ’ s bay Northland Oakura beach reserve board Surf life saving baylys beach incorporated Tararua Waikato Waimamaku community civil defence groupHawke’s Bay Rebuilds After Cyclone Gabrielle: $4.77M Lotto Relief Funds Benefit Communities
2 months ago | 880 viewsMinister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says that communities in Hawke’s Bay are benefitting from $4. 77 million in grants from funds raised through a special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief. “Cyclone Gabrielle had a devasting impact on Hawke’s Bay, causing widespread destruction to property and requiring significant relief efforts.
Tags: Ashley clinton fire brigade Auckland Bay of plenty Brooke van veld Cyclone gabrielle appeal trust East coast Eskview and districts rugby football club Fire and emergency new zealand Gabrielle Gabrielle appeal Hawke ’ s bay Northland Radio kidnappers charitable trust Tararua Waikato Waipuka civil defenceMedallic recognition for NZDF personnel extended
2 months ago | 589 viewsThe Government has expanded the criteria for medallic recognition for Defence personnel who have served in operations supporting the UN’s sanctions against North Korea, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This medal – the New Zealand General Service Medal (NZGSM) 2002 (Korea) – has already been awarded to 180 personnel and the move to widen eligibility means a further 350 personnel will be recognised,” Ms Collins says. “Personnel who have served as part of Operation Whio – which monitors the United Nations Security Council’s sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea - since 2018 are now eligible for this medal.
Tags: 3k2 orion Aotearoa Collins Defence Defence force Democratic people ’ s republic of korea Judith collins Korean armistice agreement New zealand general service medal North korea Operation whio P - 8a poseidon United nations command United nations security council