Articles tagged with Defence Force
Lieutenant General Rhys Jones Appointed Chair of National War Memorial Advisory Council
1 week ago | 85 viewsLieutenant General Rhys Jones has been appointed chair of the National War Memorial Advisory Council, bringing extensive military and governance experience from his 35-year Defence Force career and leadership roles in various organizations. He succeeds Fiona Cassidy and will serve until November 30, 2028. Additionally, Staff Sergeant Tina Grant and Colonel (Retired) Roger Howard have been reappointed as Council members with terms ending in 2028 and 2026, respectively.
Tags: Rhys Jones Paul Goldsmith Fiona Cassidy Tina Grant Roger Howard New Zealand Defence Force National War Memorial Advisory Council Royal New Zealand Returned Services Association Great War Exhibition Australasian Fire Authorities CouncilNew Zealand Extends Defence Liaison Officer Deployment to Israel for Gaza Peace Efforts
2 weeks ago | 124 viewsNew Zealand has extended the deployment of a Defence Force liaison officer to Israel for an additional eight weeks to enhance understanding of coordination efforts on the ground. The deployment aims to gather information to better assess future options for supporting sustained peace in Gaza. The liaison officer continues to operate within the US-led Civil Military Coordination Centre, with no decisions made beyond this extension.
Tags: New Zealand Defence Force Israel Judith Collins Gaza Defence Minister liaison officer Civil Military Coordination Centre deployment peace governmentNew Zealand's $2.5B Defence Infrastructure Plan Boosts Military and Jobs by 2040
2 weeks ago | 83 viewsThe New Zealand Government has launched the Defence Estate Portfolio Plan (DEPP), a $2.5 billion long-term initiative to modernise Defence Force infrastructure by 2040, addressing aging facilities and enhancing operational readiness. The plan includes the Future Naval Base Programme and five other key projects focused on upgrading critical infrastructure, housing, and training facilities to support military capability and personnel wellbeing. This investment not only strengthens national security but also creates construction jobs and economic opportunities across the country.
Tags: Chris Penk Defence Force New Zealand Defence Estate Portfolio Plan Future Naval Base Programme Royal New Zealand Navy Devonport Naval Base Defence Capability Plan Ōhakea Infrastructure Programme Defence Estate Regeneration ProgrammeDefence Minister Opens $58M Burnham Army Maintenance Facility and Logistics Hub
2 weeks ago | 104 viewsDefence Minister Judith Collins inaugurated a $58 million Army maintenance support facility at Burnham Military Camp, enhancing equipment repair capacity and safety, delivered ahead of schedule and under budget. Construction also began on an $82.7 million multi-functional regional supply facility at Burnham, which will serve as a modern logistics hub and provide around 600 jobs during its development. Both facilities are part of the New Zealand Defence Force’s Consolidated Logistics Project, aimed at upgrading logistics infrastructure across Burnham and Linton Military Camps to support operational readiness and personnel.
Tags: Judith Collins New Zealand Defence Force Burnham Military Camp Linton Military Camp Defence Capability Plan Consolidated Logistics Project Regional Logistics Centre Army maintenance support facility Defence Minister Defence logisticsNew Zealand Passes Defence Bill to Protect Security During Industrial Action
3 weeks ago | 128 viewsThe Defence (Workforce) Amendment Bill, passed to maintain national security during industrial action, allows the Chief of Defence Force greater flexibility to manage workforce redeployment without requiring parliamentary debate. It enables uniformed personnel to temporarily perform the duties of civilian staff during strikes, ensuring critical defence functions continue while preserving the right to industrial action. The Bill also streamlines authorisation processes and extends ministerial powers to backfill public servant roles, enhancing New Zealand’s defence readiness amid a challenging strategic environment.
Tags: Judith Collins New Zealand Defence Force NZDF Defence Minister Parliament industrial action national security Defence (Workforce) Amendment Bill military personnelNew Legislation Enhances Defence Force Workforce Management for National Security
3 months ago | 422 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
3 months ago | 550 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 forceNew Zealand Air Force Reactivates No. 62 Squadron for Space Security Mission
5 months ago | 1652 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
5 months ago | 1518 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 WhenuapaiNZ response to developments in Middle East
5 months ago | 1258 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 ZealandMedallic recognition for NZDF personnel extended
5 months ago | 1033 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