one
force
An update from the New Zealand Defence Force
Issue #1 | October 2008
www.nzdf.mil.nz
Ordinary New Zealanders
doing Extraordinary things
Defence Technology
Pacific Pragmatism
Veterans
one
force
where you
can find us
1
1
WHENUAPAI AIR FORCE BASE
Home to: No 5 Squadron (6x P-3K Orion aircraft); No 6 Squadron (5x SH-2G Seasprite
helicopters); No 40 Squadron (2x Boeing 757; 5x C-130 Hercules); Expeditionary Support
Squadron
2
DEVONPORT NAVAL BASE
Home to: Naval Support Command; RNZN Naval College; Joint Geospatial Facility; HMNZS
Dockyard; Naval Combat Forces (2x frigates: HMNZS Te Kaha, HMNZS Te Mana); Naval
Support Forces (1 x amphibious sealift HMNZS Canterbury; 1x fleet replenishment vessel
HMNZS Endeavour); Mine Countermeasures (MCM) and Diving Forces (1x MCM support
vessel HMNZS Manawai); Hydrographic Force (1x hydrographic data vessel HMNZS
Resolution)
3
PAPAKURA MILITARY CAMP
Home to: 1 NZ SAS Group; Auckland Regional Support Group
4
WAIOURU MILITARY CAMP
Home to: Headquarters New Zealand Army Land Training and Doctrine Group (LTDG): Land
Operations Training Centre; Tactical School; School of Artillery; Logistics Operations School;
Combat School; School of Signals; School of Military Intelligence; Joint Services Catering
School; The Army Depot; Officer Cadet School; NZ Army Simulation Centre; Army Marae
5
6
7
8
An update from the New Zealand Defence Force
3
Issue #1 | October 2008
A word of welcome
from the Chief of Defence Force
Welcome to our One Force publication (formerly Defence Update). The new name and new look
better reflect what we do and what we stand for as three services working as one force, being
the best in everything we do. You will see from the map at left, our Navy, Army and Air Force
have camps and bases across New Zealand and are significant members of their communities.
Domestically we contribute by working with other agencies in such varied activities as
protecting our oceans from poachers; defending our borders from incursion; explosive
ordnance disposal, and participating in search and rescue operations. But as the centre-spread
demonstrates, by far our biggest commitment is to international security, in furtherance of
New Zealand’s foreign policy goals. A high activity tempo is the norm for the Defence Force, as
our people, regular force and reservist, help to bring peace and security to
trouble spots in the Pacific and around the globe. New Zealand’s Defence
Forces are trained and equipped for action in the most demanding
environments. The stories in One Force reflect these priorities, and are a
reminder of the contribution being made daily by the men and women of
the New Zealand Defence Force, ensuring that New Zealand is secure and
protected from external threat, now and into the future.
4
5
OHAKEA AIR FORCE BASE
Home to: No 3 Squadron (14x UH-1H Iroquois helicopters; 5x Bell 47G Sioux helicopters);
Flying Training Wing (14x Airtrainer; 5x Beech King Air)
6
LINTON MILITARY CAMP
Home to: HQ 2nd Land Force Group; 1st Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment; 16th Field
Regiment (artillery and air defence), 2nd Engineer Regiment; 2nd Signals Squadron; 2nd
Logistics Battalion; 2nd Health Services Battalion; 2nd Military Police; Linton Regional
Support Centre; Linton Administration; School of Military Engineering
8
7
9
TRENTHAM MILITARY CAMP
Home to: Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand; HQ Military Studies Institute; Trentham
Regional Support Battalion,; 1st NZ Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron; 1st NZ Military
Police Company; Trade Training School; 1st NZ Military Intelligence Company; Logistics
Executive
WELLINGTON
Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force. Home to: Joint Logistics Services Organisation;
Personnel Branch; Planning Branch; Strategic Commitments and Intelligence Branch;
Development Branch; Communications and Information Systems Branch; Legal; Navy staff;
Air staff; Army General Staff; Finance Branch, Recruiting; Ministry of Defence; VANZ; Office
of Chief of Defence Force; Defence Library; Security; Logistics; Defence Transformation
11
Programme.
9
WOODBOURNE AIR FORCE BASE
Home to: Ground Training Wing
10
BURNHAM MILITARY CAMP
Home to: HQ 3rd Land Force Group; Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles (Armoured
Reconnaissance);2nd/1st Battalion (infantry); 3rd Field Troop (2nd Engineer Regiment); 3rd
Signals Squadron; 3rd Logistics Battalion; 2nd Health Services Battalion; 3rd Military Police
Platoon; Burnham Regional Support Centre; Burnham Administration Centre; NZ Army Band;
Joint Services Health School; Army Adventure Training Centre
11
2
Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae
Chief of Defence Force
10
our Values
Courage
Commitment
Comradeship
Integrity
Tekapo Military Training Area
Ordinary New
Zealanders
5
defence Technology
our pacific pragmatism
veterans: a duty of care
8
10
22
Doing extraordinary things in
stressful environments
One Force provides information about the New Zealand Defence Force and activities of our personnel around the world.
The opinions expressed in One Force are not necessarily those of the New Zealand Defence Force or the Ministry of Defence.
Editor: Sarah Chandler, Defence Public Relations, tel: 64 4 4960295, email: sarah.chandler@nzdf.mil.nz
Three Services as One Force, being the best in everything we do
www.nzdf.mil.nz
Prepared
for the worst:
bomb Squad
1st NZ Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron
• July 2005 Cabinet approves a domestic Chemical,
Biological, Radiological and conventional
Explosive (CBRE) explosive ordnance disposal and
Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (EOD/IEDD)
capability
• Cabinet approves funding of $21.7 million for
capital procurement and an ongoing annual
operating budget
• Government response times dictate that units
be located close to the central business districts
(CBD) of Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland
It’s 8.45am and police have cordoned
off a city block in central Christchurch. A
suspicious package has been found in a
public car park – a large coffee tin wired
to a plug and filled with an unknown
liquid. Maliciously motivated or a benign
prank? No one is taking any chances.
A robot from the Defence Force’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal
(EOD) Squadron moves into place and detonates a charge,
instantly destroying the suspect container.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Over the past year the EOD
Squadron has responded to 139 callouts – 89 explosive ordnance
disposal tasks, and a further 50 dealing with Improvised
Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD).
• 72 personnel (including 7 civilian positions) to
staff the Squadron by 2010
• 90 percent of the equipment identified for the
project has been procured at a cost of just under
$10 million
Force’s Improvised Explosive Device Disposal - Chemical,
Biological and Radiological (IEDD-CBR) capability.
Vice-Chief of the Defence Force, Rear-Admiral Jack Steer says the
new EOD headquarters is a significant step forward for the New
Zealand Defence Force: “It brings together into one place our
expert operators from across the Navy, Army and Air Force. This
new facility allows us to build on the experience of our personnel
who have worked on mine clearance and unexploded ordnance
disposal around the world.”
Three other conventional EOD units will be located close to the
central business districts of our three largest cities - Auckland,
Wellington and Christchurch.
The EOD Squadron has also been conducting joint exercises with
Police, Fire, Airport Security and Customs at the tactical and
operational levels. The threat of terrorist groups using chemical,
biological, radiological or even nuclear devices to carry out an
unconventional attack has become more pronounced.
At the opening of the Trentham facility, Defence Minister Goff
noted that without this capability our country would be unable
to guarantee the level of protection required against terrorism
and sabotage, and New Zealand’s ability to host internationally
significant events would be limited.
The Government has taken a proactive approach to such threats.
Earlier this year Defence Minister Phil Goff opened a new Defence
Force EOD headquarters and training facility at its Trentham base,
near Wellington.
“Clearly, having this type of capability is in New Zealand’s
national interest. While we sincerely hope there will never
be a day when we need to respond to a chemical, biological,
radiological or nuclear threat on our own shores – we are
nevertheless prepared,” said Mr Goff.
It is part of a $22 million investment to enhance the Defence
4 | One Force
Ordinary
New Zealanders
doing extraordinary
things in stressful
environments
The toilet’s a long drop, the place is constantly
dusty, washing is done by hand, and they’re
running low on instant pudding – apparently
it’s energy food here so it’s okay to indulge.
Welcome to Chunuk Bair, a Kiwi forward patrol base in the Yakawlang district, in the
north western part of Bamyan Province, Afghanistan. In this stunning Hindu Kush
area, overlooking the District Capital of Nayak, the Kiwi-One patrol conducts daily
meetings with local villagers and government officials, as they work to improve the
lot of the Afghan people.
The New Zealand Defence Force has 135 NZ PRT personnel working in Bamyan
Province and a two person medical mission in support of the Canadian-led
Multinational Medical Unit at Kandahar Air Field, in southern Afghanistan. They
form part of seven nations working together within this medical facility to provide
the highest level of medical care available in the southern Afghanistan area of
operations.
“The unpredictability and tempo of war means that the numbers and types of injuries
are not always known before arrival,” says Lieutenant Soren Hall of the Royal New
Zealand Army Medical Corps.“ The reality that some injuries are not survivable is also
a lesson learned very early in your time at the Multinational Medical Unit.”
One Force | 5
In search of a ‘bag of luck’
into the space that was reserved for me. My combat vest, with all its
ammunition pouches, and a rifle still slung across my body, made for
uncomfortable sitting. I soon dispensed with caution and removed it, to
the knowing nods of my hosts.
Surrounded by these local menfolk I felt at ease in this room – a bit like
being on a marae back on the East Coast. The situation, they explained,
was simple but dire: These people needed our assistance to develop a
spring well so they could irrigate their crops this summer otherwise they
would have to start leaving the land of their forefathers (and the fathers
before them) for a very uncertain future.
Recently returned from a New Zealand
Provincial Reconstruction Team rotation in
Afghanistan, Major Syd Dewes gives an
account of a day in a local village.
Today I visited Baghulak, a very poor village of about
500 people which is nestled in a mountain valley
that’s isolated for six months of the year. I had been to
Baghulak twice before, but today was the first time I
was able to reach the village since winter.
I was meeting the Head of Shura (village head man).
Down a steep dirt pathway, past some donkeys, through
a compound gateway, around stacks of stored cut grass
and past rows of ‘fuel cakes’ (dried animal dung); I
eventually reached his mud home. The accompanying
faint odour (not in any way offensive) confirmed for me
we were in quarters above the animal stalls.
A dozen or so menfolk followed me in and we sat with
backs to the walls, on simple but comfortable mats
of thick woven Geep (Afghan sheep). I tried to settle
New Zealand provides two United Nations Military Observers
and one Staff Officer to the UN Mission in Sudan monitoring the
comprehensive peace agreement between the Government of
National Unity and the Government of South Sudan.
In the dry season temperatures climb to 50 degrees celsius. In the
wet it doesn’t just rain, the sky just turns to water and 30 minutes of
rain is enough to cause enough
damage to the roads to cease
vehicle movement for days.
Age of NZDF
personnel
< 24
33%
25-34 25%
35-44 23%
45-54 13%
55 > 6%
“This is a very difficult and
complex country, fractured
many times and not easy to
describe as simply a fight
between North and South or
Muslim and Christian,” says
New Zealand’s Captain Aaron
Wright. “There are many
underlying currents and it will
take a concerted, sustained
effort by the international community to rectify, something I wonder
if our western lifestyle has the stomach for. I pray for the lives of the
millions of innocents here that we do.”
In Timor-Leste a Royal New Zealand Air Force Iroquois helicopter
crew serving with the Defence Force recently performed a life-saving
evacuation when they saved a baby suffering from respiratory
difficulties.
The baby girl was born five-weeks premature, and was unlikely to
have survived if it wasn’t for the quick actions of the Iroquois crew
who flew 20 nautical miles off the coast of Dili to the mother’s home
on Atauro Island.
RNZAF Iroquois detachment commander Squadron Leader Daniel
O’Reilly said the emergency medical team administered constant
CPR to the infant during the flight back to medical facilities
near Dili: “If we’d arrived 30 minutes later it’s likely she
would have died.”
New Zealand’s Commander of Joint Forces Major
General Rhys Jones says these are just some
examples of “Ordinary New Zealanders
major General rhys jones
Commander Joint Forces
6 | One Force
doing extraordinary things in stressful environments”.
He says the New Zealand Defence Force currently has around 600
people deployed throughout the world, serving on 15 peacekeeping
operations, UN missions and defence exercises, from Antarctica to
Sudan, the Solomon Islands to Timor-Leste.
In the past year Defence Force personnel have served in UN missions
in Lebanon, Iraq, Sudan, the Republic of Korea, and Kosovo. At the
same time non-UN missions in the Solomon Islands, Afghanistan,
Sinai, Timor-Leste and the Arabian Gulf illustrate New Zealand’s
commitment to global peace.
Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Mateparae says
participating in United Nations and other appropriate multinational peace-making and peacekeeping operations underlines
New Zealand’s wider commitment to collective security and our
credentials as a good international citizen.
“It is clearly in New Zealand’s national interest to have a robust,
combat-ready Defence Force that can quickly and actively
get involved – be it in our own backyard or the other side
of the world,” says Lt Gen Mateparae.
All conversation focused on the much needed water and they were
looking to the NZ Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) as their last and
only hope.
I was trying to develop and evaluate a course of action to provide
immediate, meaningful, and sustainable assistance to these people. I
was careful not to say something that would give them false hope but
I also felt the need to give them some hope. I chose to compromise and
told them I would convey their situation to Governor Sorabi as a matter of
urgency.
Their plight left me with an uncanny feeling when it came time to leave. As
I drove away I felt drained, and sat quietly while we bounced our way down
the mountain pass. As I mulled over the options to help I took some comfort
in the village name, Baghulak, and the thought that maybe, just maybe,
there is a ‘Bag-of-luck’ in store for them.
That was when I made my second decision of the meeting, and said aloud, to
no one in particular, “Righto, that’s it ... we have some serious work to do!”
The village did get its water well and spring well repaired by the next NZPRT
rotation.
To read the full version of this story, and others from our people on overseas
deployments visit the NZDF website [www.nzdf.mil.nz].
Defence Minister Phil Goff says that given the increasing focus on
the need to intervene in failing states, military intervention will
generally be an essential component in controlling and stabilising a
situation to prevent widespread death and destruction.
“But for the resolution of conflict to be sustainable, we need more
wide-ranging interventions to deal with the causes of state failure
including actions to build institutions of state and social services,
and deal with issues of ethnic, tribal or religious conflict.
“An effective and efficient Defence Force, trained and
equipped for combat, but also with the skills
for peacekeeping is essential. So too are the
complementary whole-of-government actions
necessary for the peace to be sustainable,”
he says.
non-UN missions in the Solomon Islands,
Afghanistan, Sinai, Timor-Leste and the
Arabian Gulf illustrate New Zealand’s
commitment to global peace
One Force | 7
REMUS Underwater Robot
Boeing Upgrade
REMUS is the acronym for Remote Environmental Monitoring Units,
robotic ‘torpedoes’ that navigate without a human crew on board and
without cables connecting them to research vessels. They are one of the
growing class of ocean instruments known as autonomous underwater
vehicles, (AUVs). REMUS vehicles can dive to 100 metres deep and are
capable of conducting an 80 km survey at a speed of 3 knots. Testing
the REMUS, Navy Warrant Officer Bernie Reihana noted that although
NZ has no ‘enemies’ as such, it’s important to be able to support New
Zealand’s friends. “We could be tasked to support one crisis, like mine
countermeasures, while our allies operate on another front.”
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ‘KAHU’
Gunner Jordan Barratt prepares mini-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
‘Kahu’ (Maori for “Hawk”) prior to launch at Waiouru Army Training
Area during field tests.
In what is a major milestone for the Ministry of Defence and the
Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757 modification and upgrade
programme, the first of two aircraft (NZ7571) returned to New Zealand
from Mobile Aerospace Engineering in Mobile, Alabama.
Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Graham Lintott said, “To see the
first Boeing arrive back in New Zealand is a reward to all those involved
in this project. The increased capability of this aircraft will provide a
significant boost to the Air Force’s airlift options. We will have the ability
to rapidly change the role of the aircraft to any given task, converting
from standard passenger configuration to a combination freight/
passenger, full freight, Aero Medical Evacuation (AME) and VIP set up.”
Navy, Air Force successfully test fire missile
An air-to-surface live missile firing was successfully conducted in
a joint exercise involving the Royal New Zealand Navy Frigate TE
KAHA, Naval Seasprite Helicopters from 6 Squadron, and an Air Force
P3 Orion. “This is an important demonstration of the Seasprite and
Maverick missile capability. It is also a very good example of sailors
and airmen and women working together to bring to bear that
capability,” said Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Tony
Parr.
New Zealand’s home grown Kahu, (devised by the Defence
Technology Agency at Devonport), has been the key component in
the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance Battlelab for some
time, but had its first successful night flight during AEON (Army
Exercise on Nemesis).
Technology
javelin
Inshore patrol vessels
TAUPO, the fourth of four Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs) being
built entirely in New Zealand, was launched in Whangarei
Harbour in July. The ship follows the launch of IPVs ROTOITI,
PUKAKI and HAWEA, and is one of seven new Navy
vessels under ‘Project Protector’. Inshore Patrol vessels will
patrol the New Zealand coastline and the South Pacific, and
conduct maritime surveillance in support of other agencies
such as Customs and Fisheries.
The NZ Army successfully tested the Javelin medium range
anti-armour weapon (MRAAW) in its first live firing at Waiouru
earlier this year. The Javelin, a shoulder launched man portable
anti-tank missile system, provides land forces with a mediumrange capability against armoured vehicles and other targets. The
medium-range anti-armour weapon is capable of defeating threats
at a range of up to 2,500 metres.
nh-90 helicopter
The NH90 is an advanced medium utility helicopter. It can undertake
a variety of roles (such as troop transport, search and rescue and
counter terrorism) and is a significant improvement on the Iroquois
helicopter.
“These new helicopters represent a quantum leap forward in terms
of capabilities from our present Vietnam war era Iroquois helicopters.
They are a vital enabler for all three Defence Force Services, for
military and peacekeeping operations, for police and counterterrorism work and for civil emergencies in New Zealand and the
Pacific.” - The Minister of Defence
Weapons Training System
“The new Weapons Training System is an invaluable addition
to the NZ Army, helping us provide world-class training for our
soldiers utilising the latest technological developments. The
innovative piece of equipment gives the Army the ability to use
a variety of weaponry in high-tempo, real-time and challenging
situations, without the intervention of adverse weather
conditions”. - Chief of Army Major General Lou Gardiner on the
Weapons Training System at Waiouru.
“Having the right Defence technology, and giving our sailors, soldiers and air men and women appropriate levels of training with that equipment, means we do not expose our people to any undue risks when they deploy on active operations. For New Zealand, it
means our Defence Forces can provide a credible response to challenges, be they close to home, or on the other side of the world”
8 | One Force
Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae
Our Pacific Pragmatism
Her name is Mercy, and that’s what her
humanitarian mission was delivering.
While the white hull of the giant US hospital ship, USNS Mercy, might have
rested quietly in the waters of the Coral Sea off Port Moresby, Papua New
Guinea, aboard and ashore her crew of military and civilian volunteers were
incredibly busy.
“The challenge for
our Defence Force is
to maintain mobile,
responsive forces
that can respond to
calls for help from
the region.”
Lieutenant General Mateparae
Chief of Defence Force
10 | One Force
Part of Pacific Partnership 08, a US Pacific Fleet deployment to South East Asia
and the Pacific, they were providing medical, dental and engineering support
– with Port Moresby the last leg in a four month journey that had already taken
in the Philippines, Vietnam, Micronesia and Timor-Leste.
The USNS Mercy, a hospital afloat, had a medical staff of around 900, four
operating theatres, a CT scanner, and an Intensive Care Unit. A multi-national,
multi-disciplinary team included internal medicine specialists, paediatricians,
dermatologists and all manner of surgical specialists drawn from the US and
partner nations Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.
Also lending a helping hand was a team from New Zealand that comprised a
Navy doctor, three nursing officers, medics from the Navy, Army and Air Force,
and an environmental health officer. The New Zealand team would spend a good
deal of time ashore providing primary health care, diagnosing and treating local
village people.
New Zealand’s Surgeon Commander John Duncan, director of naval medicine at
the Devonport Naval Base, says it was great to be involved: “We were responsible
for surgical screening and identifying patients that would benefit from surgery,
referring them on to the Mercy surgical
team – patients with cataracts, hernias and
many other surgical conditions.”
This is just the latest example of New
Zealand’s pragmatic commitment in the
Pacific. Peace support operations are some
of New Zealand’s most tangible and highprofile commitments to collective security
in this region.
In Timor-Leste, New Zealand has about 180
Defence Force personnel and 25 police as
part of a UN security and capacity-building
mission, as well as providing troops as part
of the Australian-led International Security
Force. Following riots, gunfights, looting
and burning in Dili in mid 2006, TimorLeste Foreign Minister José Ramos Horta
asked for more help.
Using Boeing 757 and C-130 Hercules
aircraft from the Royal New Zealand Air
Force, a deployment of New Zealand
Defence Force personnel was sent to help
bring security, peace and confidence back
to Timor-Leste.
Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Xanana
Gusmao, on a recent visit to this country
thanked New Zealand for the assistance:
“When we asked for it, you sent your men
and women,” he said. “They have gained
the respect of our people. We know New
Zealanders are our good friends.”
As a partner in the Regional Assistance
Mission in the Solomon Islands (RAMSI),
New Zealand supports development and
security work, including capacity building
for local police, and the maintenance of
law and order on the streets and at key
sites such as Rove Prison.
A 44-strong platoon provides New
Zealand’s current contribution to the
Regional Assistance Mission, working
alongside other supporting nations, which
include Australia, Tonga and Papua
New Guinea. RAMSI has made a real
difference to the stability and security in
the Solomons. However, the situation there
The Pacific
• 22 island countries and
territories
• 8 million people
• 30 million sqkm of
ocean
• broad ethnic groups:
Melanesian, Polynesian
and Micronesian
• NZ has strong
connections due to
migration, travel, trade
and history
remains volatile and minor incidents can
still escalate rapidly.
Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General
Mateparae says RAMSI is a Pacific response
One Force | 13
11
Keeping
our
waters
safe
The defence force and
the National Maritime
Coordination Centre
The case of the PING AN HAI
illustrates the NMCC in action
One morning late last year, Joint Force
Headquarters personnel monitoring the
Automated Identification System (AIS)
noted that a tanker registered in China –
the Ping An Hai - was anchored in the
waters of the Coromandel Peninsula.
to a neighbour’s request for help.
“The impact of globalisation has transformed the security environment
in the Pacific,” he says. “The South Pacific will therefore continue to
be a key focus for the New Zealand Defence Force as the negative
aspects of globalisation bring trans-national threats to the region’s
doorstep.
“The challenge for our Defence Force is to maintain mobile, responsive
forces that can respond to calls for help from the region.”
Recent examples of the New Zealand Defence Force’s agility in the
Pacific include the Royal New Zealand Air Force taking part in a multiagency exercise involving New Zealand, Australia,
Samoa, the Cook Islands, the Forum Fisheries Agency
and the US Coast Guard, which aimed to catch and
deter people from illegal fishing in Pacific countries’
Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).
Earlier this year, the New Zealand Defence Force also
participated in a six-nations exercise in Noumea, Exercise
Croix Du Sud, which brought together military forces from
France, Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, Vanuatu and Papua
New Guinea to practise joint and combined training for disaster
relief-type activities. Our involvement included the mutli-role vessel
HMNZS Canterbury, a detached hydrographic support unit, an infantry
platoon, two Iroquois helicopters and support personnel.
In addition, a 40-strong contingent of medics deployed to the Cook
Islands by C-130 Hercules aircraft under Exercise Tropic Twilight,
to provide health and dental support. The Defence Force also
conducted a number of secondary tasks in the region including
delivering emergency supplies by C-130 Hercules for victims
of severe flooding in the eastern province of Oro in Papua
New Guinea.
12 | One Force
All-of-government approach
“The whole of government context of
our work in the Pacific has increased
significantly and is likely to grow further as
political unrest and violence are growing
features of the Pacific landscape. This has
been demonstrated by recent events in Fiji,
Tonga and the Solomon Islands as well as
historical examples such as Bougainville.
Internal instability poses significant risks to
our foreign policy objectives of a peaceful
and prosperous Pacific. The stability and
security that the work of the Defence Force
brings to the Pacific are cornerstones of
being able to achieve economic growth and
investment, sustainable development, and
effective government in the region. Without
the commitment and professionalism of the
New Zealand Defence Force alongside other
New Zealand agencies in the region many
of these goals could not be achieved,”
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Trade’s Chief Executive Simon
Murdoch
Established in 2002, the National Maritime Coordination
Centre coordinates maritime patrol and surveillance
information and activity to ensure the best outcome for New
Zealand from a whole-of-government perspective.
“The NMCC provides an important and effective bridge between the NZDF and
those government agencies that need access to the New Zealand Defence
Forces’s assets”
The NZ Customs Liaison Officer to the NMCC
(NZC-LO) checked Customs information on
the vessel and found it had been cleared
from Tauranga to proceed to Taiwan. But in
anchoring inside NZ territorial waters, the
vessel had committed a breach of Customs to return to Tauranga. In the course of
law.
the conversation with the agent, it was
The first report that the Ping An Hai discovered the vessel might be cleaning
was anchored was of concern to Customs tanks or discharging ballast, which would
because it was in contravention of its pose a pollution hazard.
clearance to proceed overseas.
HMNZS Te Kaha was directed by the J33M
The NMCC’s initial task is to determine
what is the greatest possible risk to New
Zealand in the situation, and how to deploy
the assets available to mitigate that risk.
to conduct a visual inspection and ascertain
if the vessel was conducting any activity
inconsistent with anchoring under ‘Force
Majeure’, in particular cleaning tanks or
The possible risks ranged from relatively discharging ballast.
minor (illegal anchoring) to more serious A Navy Seasprite helicopter from 6 Squadron
concerns such as illegal landing of people joining HMNZS Te Mana for previously
or goods, or environmental damage from planned activity, was then directed to
ballast water or tank cleaning.
conduct a visual inspection of the Ping An
The NZC-LO consulted the Maritime Hai to ascertain any discharge overboard
Operations Officer (J33M) to see which which could also lead to pollution.
naval vessels were in the area that could
be diverted to investigate the vessel if
required. HMNZS Te Kaha had just sailed
from Devonport and was advised to prepare
to be tasked for this.
When contacted by Te Kaha, the Ping
An Hai advised she had anchored to seek
shelter from the previous evening’s high
winds.
Te Kaha and the Seasprite confirmed no
NZ Customs advised Ping An Hai’s agent sign of pollution from the vessel. After no
her Outbound Clearance had been revoked pollution risk was established, Maritime
and the agent should direct the tanker NZ and Department of Conservation were
Rear Admiral David Ledson
Chief of Navy
HMNZS Te Mana
Ping An Hai
HMNZS Te Kaha
Coromandel
Auckland
no longer concerned about the vessel’s
presence. The tanker advised she had been
ordered to sail by her agent, and left for
Tauranga.
This incident illustrates how the command
and control mechanisms between civil
agencies and the NZDF work to benefit
New Zealand as a whole.
The NMCC is under the governance of
Customs and brings together several
agencies: the New Zealand Defence Force,
New Zealand Customs Service, Ministry
of Fisheries, Department of Conservation,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
Maritime New Zealand, and the New
Zealand Police.
One Force | 13
Is
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el
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/S
ia
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aq
Ir
hanistan
Afg
republic of Kore
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om
As at 1 September 2008 there were 661 New Zealand
Defence Force personnel deployed on peace keeping
operations, UN missions and exercises around the world.
our global
deployments
2008
three months providing maritime support and security operations
as part of a Coalition Task Force in the Gulf.
Antarctica NZDF personnel deploy to Harewood and Scott base
during the summer season in support of New Zealand’s Antarctic
Programme (NZAP). RNZAF C-130 Hercules provide flights.
United Nations Truce and Supervisory Organisation (UNTSO).
Kosovo - NZDF provided a staff officer for the United Nations
Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo from 1999 - 2008.
Iraq - A Military Advisor has been attached to the United Nations
Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) since 2005.
Lebanon - NZDF provided a 10-person Explosives Remnants
of War Disposal Team. The team located, mapped and destroyed
unexploded ordnance. The 12 month commitment ended earlier this
year.
Israel - Since 1954 the NZDF has provided UN Observers to the
Persian Gulf - In May 2008 the Navy’s frigate Te Mana spent
14 | One Force
Assistance Mission Solomon Islands (RAMSI).
Republic of Korea - NZDF staff support operations, watch-
Sudan - NZDF provides Military Observers and Staff Officer
assistance to the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).
keeping and corridor control to the United Nations Command
Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC).
Syria - Since 1954 the NZDF has provided UN Observers to the
United Nations Truce and Supervisory Organisation (UNTSO).
Sinai Peninsula - NZDF provides a 26 person contingent to the
Timor-Leste - The NZDF is involved in the United Nations
Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). An infantry company of 148 people
is deployed, and helicopter support from the RNZAF (2 helicopters
and 32 people) provides aero-medical evacuation, and moves
stores and personnel as part of the ANZAC Aviation Group.
Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in driver tasking, courses
and training along with monitoring the operation of the Egyptian
Border Guard Force.
Antarctica
Afghanistan NZDF currently provides a 135 personnel
Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), leadership training support
to the Afghan National Army, military advice, and operations and
medical support. Twice a year a C-130 Hercules and 35 personnel
deploy to the Middle East to support troop rotations.
so
l
Solomon Islands - Since 2003 the NZDF has provided support
to the Participating Police Force (PPF) with a platoon of 43 currently
in theatre conducting local and provincial presence patrols and
security patrols as part of the military component of the Regional
United States of America - Since 2003, an NZDF National
Planning Element (NPE) and operational support has been based at
US CENTCOM in Florida for liaison and planning.
One Force | 15
Peace
Of Mind:
DEFENCE
sustainability
Supporting
families
A range of sustainability initiatives have
been undertaken over recent years and
effort has been ramped up this year with
the development of an NZDF “Sustainable
Practice Action Plan” and the appointment of
Dr Graeme Benny as NZDF’s “Sustainability
Champion”.
Deployments overseas can offer the
ultimate in military experience, but for
families they can offer fear and anxiety.
By Carol Voyce, Deployment Services Officer
The key to this is quality, timely information. Prior to deployment
families learn about deployment locations, the daily lives of the
soldiers, security states, welfare support systems and strategies for
coping with change, anxiety and new responsibilities.
It was April 1941 when Gunner Henry Pierson boarded the Niew
Amsterdam at Wellington, bound for distant shores. With his fellow
comrades, he had volunteered for service abroad. Medically cleared
and with some basic pre-deployment training behind him he was
embarking on a journey with an unpredictable outcome. Four years
later he was fortunate to return, but his deployment had been
marked by intermittent and unreliable contact from home and a
great fear of the unknown for those he had left behind.
Thankfully, some 67 years later, this true life scenario is ‘history’.
How things have changed! Nowadays you still see the tears at
airport departures and homecomings, but behind the scenes a
very different situation is unfolding. With more than 700 service
personnel on deployments in 16 locations worldwide, a new
perspective on family support has emerged. Not only do we
prepare our soldiers to an outstanding level of expertise, we also
prepare and support their families for and during their journey
ahead and on their return.
Deployments are a way of life for our Regular and Territorial Force
Service Personnel. For many, deployments overseas offer the
ultimate in military experience, but for families they can offer fear,
anxiety and the unknown. Both service personnel and their families
must make huge sacrifices for a deployment to be a success.
Deployment Services Officers and Welfare Support Officers have
one objective: ‘Peace of Mind’ for those at home and those abroad.
16 | One Force
Importantly, they meet with others in the same situation and
establish their own network systems. Armed with great resources,
everyone can be well prepared for a separation, as the fear of the
unknown and sense of isolation diminish.
“We all have a part to play, not only being
friendlier to the environment, but in doing
things better and more efficiently. It’s about
reducing our impact on the environment and
at the same time being safer and more cost
effective in our business practices. We’re
aiming to integrate sustainability across NZDF.
We’ve already started doing it and it’s making
a difference” says Dr Benny.
Media coverage often focuses on disasters and tragedies, and
deployment locations, in a world of unrest, feature highly on their
agenda. This coverage can be frightening and unsettling for those
at home but Support Services are just a phone call away to help set
the record straight. Our family support service is available 24 hours
a day, seven days a week.
While those at home are always in the thoughts of deployed
Service Personnel, they are able to concentrate on their job abroad
if they know support is on hand for their loved ones. A regular
newsletter offers news and views from deployment locations and
with informal get togethers and tour updates, our efforts towards
achieving and maintaining ‘peace of mind’ are constant.
While reunions may present new challenges we find that for many,
lives end up being enriched by the separation. There’s a sense
of pride in knowing that the many sacrifices made by all have
enhanced the lives of those less fortunate than us for so much
longer.
Family commitment has enabled our Service Personnel to bring
stability to fragile nations far away. Thanks to Gunner Henry
Pierson, his comrades, our soldiers and our families of today, we
now have a recognised system in place which allows those who
continue to admirably serve their country, to have, for their families
and themselves, peace of mind.
Rear Admiral Jack
Steer, Vice Chief
of Defence Force
with his ceremonial
vehicle, a Hyundai
Grandeur diesel. This
vehicle uses only
7.9L/km and emits a
low 208g/km of CO2.
NZDF became a partner agency in the Govt3 Towards Sustainable Practice
public sector leadership programme in 2005 and has integrated sustainability
considerations into a range of projects over recent years, such as:
• Energy efficiency improvements at existing camp and base facilities
• Energy efficient design of new and leased buildings such as Defence House
in central Wellington and new barrack accommodation at Trentham
• Waste recycling
• More fuel efficient and climate friendly models introduced into the NZDF
vehicle fleet, and
• More sustainable products introduced into the NZDF office products
catalogue.
NZDF is improving its business practices
by making them more environmentally
and socially sustainable.
Staff Sergeant Rob Mowatt outside the recently
completed Trentham barracks. The new barracks building
includes integrated solar water heating for providing hot
water and space heating and is designed to reduce the
consumption of gas by up to 70% during the warmer
months of the year.
As a single agency, NZDF is the largest energy user and greenhouse gas emitter in
the public sector. Within the Govt3 programme NZDF therefore has an important role
in contributing to Government’s goal of making New Zealand more sustainable.
The focus of the current programme is to improve our practices in buildings and
other facilities, procurement, waste minimisation, water conservation, transport
and managing greenhouse gas emissions. “Initially we’re keen to improve our
information in these areas and develop the capacity of our people to make effective
change,” says Dr Benny. “Already we’re seeing significant improvements in the
monitoring of energy use in buildings as well as fuel use across all NZDF vehicles and
platforms. But in order to successfully manage these issues we need our people to
be aware and committed to improvement”.
Over coming months NZDF will be promoting the programme and working to further
integrate sustainability into current policies and business practices. “Sustainability
within the Defence Force is not a short term project. It will become business as usual
and will benefit us all,” Dr Benny says.
One Force | 17
The best of
both worlds: reserve forces
Reserve personnel have always been a valued asset and
an integral part of the New Zealand Defence Force.
Territorial Force personnel, part time naval reservists, and
RNZAF active reservists help the Defence Force meet its
operational commitments at home and internationally.
The approximately 2500 Territorial Force and Navy and
Air Force reserves are made up of New Zealanders from
a range of professions, and include accountants, lawyers,
students and politicians.
Although legislation already provided for reserve forces to train
without risking loss of employment, the Territorial Forces Employer
Support Council interacts with employers and employer groups
about any concerns they have as employers of Reserve personnel
- such as letting staff deploy during busy periods of work. The
council also communicates to employers the importance of Reserve
Forces for the generation of New Zealand’s strategic military
capability and the advantages of having employees train in the
military.
Historically Territorial Force personnel have comprised
around 10 per cent of deployed troops to Timor-Leste,
but they currently make up about three quarters of NZDF
personnel deployed to the Regional Assistance Mission to
the Solomon Islands. Territorial soldiers and Officers have
also been active on peacekeeping missions to Lebanon,
Sinai, Bosnia, Sierra Leone, Bougainville, Afghanistan, and
Iraq.
The TFESC recently began an awards programme in recognition of
employers who are particularly supportive of their TF employees.
This year they named law firm Minter Ellison Rudd Watts as
2008 Employer of the Year in acknowledgment of their support
of solicitor and Territorial Nick Jones (pictured left). Nick says
he was grateful about the way Minter Ellison viewed his recent
deployment to the Solomon Islands as a member of the Territorial
Forces:
Reservists in each of the services bring to their tasks
valuable skills they gain in their civilian lives. As part
time soldiers they have the best of both worlds: a normal
civilian life while also experiencing the challenges of
military life.
“My employer saw my deployment as being a part of my
development as a lawyer and as a person. They really wanted to
see me get out there and learn leadership in the ‘school of hard
knocks’ environment”.
Territorial Force Qualifications Recognised
Territorial Force soldiers now have their New Zealand Army training
recognised with formal industry qualifications by the New Zealand
Qualifications Authority.
nationally recognised civilian qualifications.” says Major Ian Bateman
from the Army’s Industry Training and Vocational Qualifications unit,
ArmyQual.
Working with ‘Learning State’, the Army has aligned soldier training
with management and business qualifications. The NZQA-accredited
qualifications are gained through a combination of promotion
courses and unit-based training and can be attained by both junior
and senior soldiers.
Fulltime soldiers who have completed their Junior Non
-Commissioned Officer (JNCO) training received National Certificates
in First Line Management and Adult Education and Training in a
ceremony at Linton Camp on Thursday 31 July.
“Formalising aspects of Army training
with NZQA standards creates a win-win-win
situation for the soldier, employer and the
NZ Army”
- Major Bateman
18 | One Force
Royal New Zealand Naval
Volunteer Reserve
The Territorial Forces Employer Support Council was set up in 2006
to promote service in the Territorial Forces and to facilitate good
relations between part time Reserve personnel and their civilian
employers.
As volunteers they are expected to maintain a good
standard of fitness and must commit a minimum of
20 days each year to training, including night parades,
weekend exercises, longer exercises and promotion
courses.
“The initiative means that soldiers and their employers benefit from
Territorial Forces
Employer Support
Council (TFESC)
Both qualifications are made up of a series of unit standards that the
soldier achieves through recognised prior learning and recognition
of current competence for training, skills, and experience gained
through the workplace and on courses.
As soldiers progress through their careers and complete other
courses, or work as instructors, they will build on these skills to gain
further qualifications.
Naval Reserves have existed in New Zealand since 1860, when local
citizens volunteered to train as part time sailors to help regular naval
forces defend New Zealand and her interests. Reservists are typically
people with regular jobs (although some are tertiary students or full time
parents) who get paid for the spare time they spend as a member of
the Naval Reserve. They work along side Regular Force personnel in the
Navy’s ships and support the Navy’s contribution to operational missions
overseas. There are currently around 260 people in the Naval Reserve. Life
in the Naval Reserve is busy, challenging and never boring. In addition to
their full-time civilian occupations, Naval reservists are also high achievers
in their roles as ‘part time sailors’. There are four main Naval Reserve
units located in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin and a
sub unit in the port of Tauranga.
RNZAF Active Reserve (AR-F)
The RNZAF currently has a Territorial Air Force comprising predominantly
band members and Air Traffic Controllers. In a new initiative,
Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Graham Lintott (below)
has recently announced the implementation of the RNZAF
Active Reserve (AR-F). AVM Lintott says having a workable
Reserve capacity will provide Units with another option to
overcome any personnel shortfall in meeting their
annual outputs. “It is my intent that the AR-F
personnel will become an integral part of our
team as we work towards being an Air Force
that is the best in all that we do”, he says.
Territorial Force Women
“Becoming part of the Territorial Force has provided me with excitement and
direction, and prompted me to push the boundaries of what I believed were my
physical limits,” says Private Tracy Anderson (pictured here, on right, with medic
Sarah Blundell).
“I was at a point in my life where I had gone as far as I could with work and
study. My next steps were to either work overseas or begin a PhD. Both seemed
unappealing at that point in my life. My life has been enriched by the quality of
the people I have met, the challenges that have been put before me, and what I
have been able to achieve. I have an understanding of what team work is now,
which I didn’t have previously and would never have had if I had not joined the
TF. It‘s had a positive flow-on in my personal and working life.”
In civilian life Tracy Anderson is a non-sworn member of the NZ Police in
Wellington, and works on initiatives involving stopping family violence. She
became firm friends with medic Sarah Blundell as they dug in together on a
recent exercise.
One Force | 19
NZDF’s Official Artists
Medals return to
rightful
home
Gallantry medals stolen
from the Army Museum
at Waiouru in December
2007 were returned to the
Army Museum Waiouru in
a formal ceremony on 21
October. Chief of the NZ Army Major General Lou Gardiner (below right) said:
“We are very excited having the medals returned to their rightful home at the
Army Museum Waiouru and the ceremony acknowledges the professionalism
and dedication of all those involved in their successful return, including the
New Zealand public.”
SGT Murray Ken Hudson, GC
The returned medal sets include nine Victoria Crosses, two George Crosses
and an Albert Medal, stolen from the Museum in the early morning of 2
December 2007. The medals were recovered through a dedicated police
investigation, and aided by the generosity of Lord Michael Ashcroft and
New Zealand businessman Mr Tom Sturgess, who offered $300,000 for
their safe return.
NZ ARMY JOINS UPSKILLING
PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME
This year the New Zealand Army joined the government’s
literacy, language and numeracy Upskilling Partnership
Programme to enhance its soldiers’ development and
provide more fulfilling career paths.
The Commanding Officer of the Army’s
Military Studies Institute, Lieutenant
Colonel Richard Taylor, says many of
the Army’s new recruits reflect the
characteristics of the wider workforce,
including having poor literacy and
numeracy skills that could stop them from
achieving their full potential.
progression,” Lieutenant Colonel Taylor
said.
“The upskilling partnership will help us
to identify the literacy skills of all of our
soldiers, and target specific training to
address any individual skill shortages that
are identified.
The results of these tests will be used
by Army Education Corps personnel to
develop remedial programmes where
required, so that every soldier is able to
meet the range of literacy challenges he
or she encounters. These programmes may
include formal instruction, one-on-one
tuition, and working in small groups.
“By committing to this programme, the
Army is ensuring that its junior soldiers
are given the foundation skills they require
for personal development and career
20 | One Force
Under the Upskilling Partnership
Programme, the New Zealand Army will
use Skills Check, a testing tool adapted by
the Ministry of Education for New Zealand
employers, to conduct diagnostic testing
of all new recruits and junior soldiers.
The Upskilling Partnership Programme
is a multi agency initiative led by the
Department of Labour to assist and
encourage employers to create training
programmes to improve the literacy,
language and numeracy skills of people in
the workforce.
The Manukau Institute of Technology
is the tertiary education partner in this
programme. “As a specialist in applied
and vocational training, MIT welcomes the
opportunity to deliver this programme in
the context of Army training and life,” said
Dr Stuart Middleton, Director of External
Relations at MIT.
New Zealand has appointed
official war artists to visually
record armed conflict and
other aspects of military life
since 1918. Three of our recent
artists are profiled below.
Colin Wynn
Born in Wellington in 1950, artist Colin
Wynn is one of New Zealand’s leading sea
and landscape artists. He began painting
professionally in the early 1970s when he
moved to the West Coast town of Reefton
to be near the coast. In 1983 he was invited
by the Royal New Zealand Navy to be their
artist, a part-time position which involves
several weeks’ work every year. “It’s been
really interesting. It’s taken me to many
places in New Zealand and around the world
that I normally wouldn’t get to,” he said.
Painting by Matt Gauldie, Army artist
Matt Gauldie
Captain Matt Gauldie, 32, was appointed
the New Zealand Army’s official artist in
April 2005. Later that year he completed
basic training at Waiouru to gain a better
understanding of life in the Army. Captain
Gauldie trains, lives, patrols and works with
soldiers, often in the harsh environments
in which they work, to best capture the
experiences of his subjects. He says his five
weeks in Afghanistan gave him an insight
into all areas of the New Zealand Provincial
Reconstruction Team’s work, on patrol
and in its Bamyan compound. His popular
exhibition, Faces of Courage: Through the
eyes of an artist, opened in Auckland in
April.
Painting by Maurice Conly
Painting by Maurice Conly
Maurice Conly
The RNZAF’s last official artist was the late
Maurice Conly. He travelled extensively
to RNZAF areas in the Pacific and also
took two tours to the Antarctic. Squadron
Leader Conly was born in Dunedin and
received his art training there. His acrylic
work “Sunderland in Hangar” shows a
Sunderland NZ4116 ‘S’ being worked on by
maintenance personnel at Lauthala Bay, Fiji,
while ‘Ventura attack on Rabaul’, shows
RNZAF Venturas over Rabaul township,
Papua New Guinea.
Painting by Colin Wynn, official Navy artist
Painting by Matt Gauldie, Army artist
Painting by Colin Wynn, official Navy artist
Painting by Matt Gauldie, Army artist
One Force | 21
Tribute 08
Unrehearsed and without fuss, the rows of veterans quickly formed up and began to march. Despite their
years, a tight and precise formation emerged, legs and arms in perfect unison.
veterans:
A duty
of Care
“Should veterans receive better treatment than
other New Zealanders?,” was the question
asked.
For those gathered in the room – politicians, legal experts, veterans’ representatives,
and the Chief of Defence Force, the answer appeared to be a simple but definite
‘yes’.
This was the launch of the Law Commission’s discussion paper on a review of the War
Pensions Act 1954, the first step on a journey to reform the war pensions system.
In late 2007 the Government tasked the Law Commission with reviewing the Act. As
Veterans’ Affairs Minister Rick Barker points out, the current War Pensions Act is out
of date and needs to be rewritten in order to meet the needs of current and future veterans.
“The government is committed to ensuring that the care and services we provide to veterans are of the highest possible standard,
and the legislation which underpins this effort needs to reflect the changing face of our veterans’ population and take a more holistic
approach to the welfare of our veterans,” he says.
The Law Commission’s starting point for the discussion paper has been to develop a set of overarching principles – high among these
being the provision of greater entitlements for veterans than are available to others.
Making a Submission
The Law Commission will accept written
submissions on their discussion paper until 28
November 2008. These can be sent to:
Lecretia Seales
PO Box 2590,
Wellington 6001
or veterans@lawcom.govt.nz
In addition, meetings will be held at RSAs in
Whangarei, Auckland, Tauranga, Ruatoria,
Napier, Wanganui, Wellington, Nelson,
Christchurch and Dunedin at the end of October
and beginning of November.
The logic is simple: a career in the Armed Forces differs from all other occupations.
People are required to subject themselves to the risk of death or injury, and they are
obligated by law to obey orders and, as such, they have a duty to fight and kill if
necessary. Therefore, there is a place for a special allowance to be paid to people who
have been put in harm’s way by the State and suffered as a result.
Sir Geoffrey says over the years there have been piecemeal changes to the legislation but
this is the first thorough review. Other issues identified include improving accountability
and transparency in decision-making, and addressing modern battlefield ailments like
post traumatic stress disorder.
“Any new legislation must meet the needs of service personnel in modern conflicts,”
he says.
• There are an estimated 45,000 veterans in New Zealand.
• WWII veterans make up the single largest group, about 20 per cent of the total veteran population.
• Around 5000 currently serving members of the NZDF are veterans.
22 | One Force
Not just a remembered skill it seemed, but more automatic than that. Almost as if it were something
etched into the very DNA of these old soldiers – another of the lasting legacies of their service in a
conflict that our nation had too easily consigned to history.
But that was the very point for the thousands of Vietnam veterans and their families who had gathered
in Wellington for Tribute 08 this year - for New Zealand to collectively recognise their service and
remember.
Prime Minister Helen Clark summed the special week of events up like this:
“It is about acknowledging and apologising for the wrongs of the past. It is about respect for those
who gave loyal service. It is about dealing with the legacy of the past now and in the future. It is about
sharing memories of what happened. It is about reunion. And it is about welcoming our veterans home
officially.”
The welcome included a mayoral reception, and an honour parade down the streets of Wellington
to Parliament. Family members carried photos of the 37 New Zealand personnel who lost their lives
into Parliament’s Legislative Council Chamber where a vigil was held, part of a whakanoa or healing
ceremony. There was also a wreath laying ceremony at the National War Memorial.
It was from here that the veterans marched again so splendidly to a commemoration event at the Basin
Reserve. Royal New Zealand Returned Services Association National President Robin Klitscher observed
the sense of hurt and bewilderment felt by those who had retuned from war hoping to find normality
again.
Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae concluded with the simple words Vietnam
veterans had longed to hear for almost four decades: “Thank you for your service; thank you for your
sacrifices; thank you for your contribution to New Zealand. I know it is long overdue, but to our New
Zealand Vietnam veterans - welcome home.”
Our responsibilities
When a framed copy of the War Pensions Act 1915 was symbolically
passed from Ministry of Social Development Chief Executive Peter
Hughes to Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Mateparae,
so too was a duty of care.
Previously the administration of War Disablement Pensions had
been split between Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand (VANZ) and
the Ministry of Social Development. But the handover ceremony
marked a change from 1 July 2008, whereby VANZ became the sole
agency responsible for delivering all aspects of War Disablement
Pensions.
VANZ, a semi-autonomous agency within the New Zealand
Defence Force, then became an operational unit of the Defence
Force – improving the lines of accountability and better recognising
the life-long responsibility of the Chief of the Defence Force to
veterans.
“The transfer of responsibility for the care of veterans with
disabilities is a significant event,” says Veterans’ Affairs Minister
Rick Barker. “This single agency approach is driven by the goal of
making it simpler and easier for veterans to access the services
and support they need.
Lt Gen Mateparae says the New Zealand Defence Force views
these changes as a real opportunity to enhance the quality and
effectiveness of services provided to our veterans.
“VANZ now has the end-to-end ownership and accountability
for the entire War Disablement Pension process and for the coordination of services to veterans. As the Chief of Defence Force
ultimately I am accountable and veterans should know that this is
a responsibility I take very seriously,” he says.
• 15,855 veterans receive War Disablement Pensions for disabilities that are deemed
attributable to, or aggravated by, service.
• Between 3,500 and 4,000 veterans are actively case managed.
One Force | 23
kia kaha
s
The defence force is committed to working with New Zealand’
h Life
young people. As well as the tri-service LSV Company and Yout
rammes
Skills courses, each of the three services has its own prog
e
that highlight service careers and promote the defence forc
values of courage, comradeship, commitment and integrity.
Quinton Heke (pictured) was one of eighty trainees from the Limited Service
Volunteer (LSV) Course who graduated in a
recent march out parade, reviewed by the Minister for Social Development and
Employment, Ruth Dyson.
LSV is a six week residential programme at Burnham military camp designed
to
increase the number of New Zealanders between the ages of 17 – 25 entering
employment or further training. The course focuses on developing self confiden
ce,
motivation, initiative and team work. LSV is a combined initiative between the
NZDF
and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). MSD provides the operating
costs
while NZDF delivers the expertise and training personnel. Based on the 1645
British
army model, LSV trainees wear military uniform and are subject to military law
while
resident at Burnham camp. Trainees also operate within the Army structure of
Section,
Platoon and Company.
At 25, Quinton Heke was the oldest trainee at the latest LSV course. He came
from
Te Awamutu and had strong supporters there who believed the training at Burnham
would provide a good starting point for turning his life around.
His life experiences, which could be classified as colourful, enabled him to provide
good advice and support to the younger
trainees. He exceeded expectations consistently and was presented the ‘Officer
Commanding Top Trainee Award for All
Round Excellence’ and the ‘Peers’ Choice Award’.
The Officer Commanding of the LSV Company, Major Cate Linton says the LSV
is not the “boot camp” it is sometimes
described as, however it does demand high standards in terms of attitude and
behaviour.
“LSV is no walk in the park. The participants are challenged continuously
throughout the six weeks, and boundaries are pushed. Quinton rose to the
challenges presented and approached the course with maturity and commitm
ent.
He achieved outstanding results recognised not only by the staff, but also by
his
peers who elected him for the ‘Peers’ Choice Award’,” Major Linton said.
On returning to Te Awamutu, Quinton took up employment with a company
maintaining power pylons (TEMCO) and intends to put into practice the life
skills
developed throughout his six weeks at Burnham.
It is estimated that more than 70 per cent of trainees find
employment or go on to further training within two months of completing the
24 | One Force
ibilities
Kia Kaha is designed to make young Naval recruits cognisant of their respons
The
to uphold the Navy’s core values of ‘Commitment, Courage, and Comradeship’.
consequences
programme highlights to Naval Basic Common Trainee Graduates (BCTs) the
communities
and risks to themselves, their families, the Royal New Zealand Navy and local
ity. The
of poor judgement and bad decision-making aboard ship and within the commun
the
At
BCTs are usually spoken to by leaders in the community and various role models.
r (POPTI),
most recent Kia Kaha session, former Petty Officer Physical Training Instructo
exercising
former All Black Captain Wayne (Buck) Shelford gave a motivational talk about
in teams. Buck
good judgement and decision-making for everyday life; in sport, socially and
choices about
spoke of his time in the Navy and the goal setting that required him to make
key messages
his actions (‘Do I go out with the boys or prepare for tomorrow’s game?’). His
s’.
standard
to trainees were, ‘Look after your mates, set personal goals and maintain
army careers experience (ace)
holidays,
The New Zealand Army hosts students in Years 11, 12 and 13 during the school
for a week,
who may be contemplating an army career. Students live in a military camp
army life,
talk with soldiers from different trades and are exposed to various aspects of
help students
including physical training. The Army Careers Experience (ACE) is designed to
g a realistic
providin
by
Army
NZ
the
gain an understanding of the various career options within
allow a better
and honest representation of trades and careers options as well as lifestyle to
informed career choice.
Air Force Challengeschool students at Bases Ohakea and
Every year the RNZAF runs a week-long challenge for high
participate
Whenuapai during the school holidays, where students get to fly in military aircraft,
in team building and discover the nature and range of all Air Force trades.
Of the 2008 Air Force Challenge, Ella Barrett said:
s. There was very
“What I thought was great, was how the entire week was packed with activitie
all the trades in
little time to be bored. It was also awesome how we were able to visit almost
the Air Force and get an insight of what life is like living on base”.
ly one of the
Ben Johnson added “Meeting new people from all over the country was definite
syndicate just made
best parts of the Air Force Challenge and the new friends that I made in my
Tindall, also
Doolanthe whole trip enjoyable. My awesome syndicate leader, F/S Jacqueline
s”.
made my trip enjoyable. She was fun and energetic and answered all my question
rship
hmnzs canterbury schola
hed by the RNZN Navy in
The HMNZS Canterbury Scholarship was establis
2005. The scholarship, which is funded from the Navy’s non-Public funds,
marks the long and supportive relationship between the RNZN and the
province of Canterbury. It entitles the winner to $10,000 towards domestic
tuition fees and course related costs or living expenses. The purpose is to
support school leavers from Canterbury in their first year of study at the
University of Canterbury in any discipline. This year’s scholarship winner,
Rachel Standring, is studying papers in Music, Chinese and Law. She
describes herself as being “ecstatic and incredibly proud” on hearing she
had been awarded the scholarship. Canterbury Scholars are required to
demonstrate and identify with the RNZN values of courage, commitment
and comradeship.
LSV course.
One Force | 25
Careers
PROFILE: LAC Rachael Main - Air Force Photographer
PROFILE: LCPL Craig Terry - Electronics Technician
At college Lance Corporal Craig Terry was
always taking things apart and putting them
back together again, “just to see how they
worked”.
Now he can indulge his passions for electronics
daily - as an electronics technician in the New
Zealand Army.
Craig, 23, joined the Army five years ago to
study electronics. “I decided I could join the
Army, receive my training there, and then I’d be
equipped with a civilian qualification I could use
later in life should I choose to leave.”
Craig has just finished studying for a National
Diploma in Engineering and has completed
most of his block training at Wellington Institute
of Technology (WELTEC),
He also learns on the job at 3 Workshop
Company, Burnham, where most of his time
is spent maintaining or repairing electronic
equipment. While training to work on a variety
of equipment, Lance Corporal Terry most enjoys
the optical side of it, for example, the night
vision gear soldiers use in the field.
For all general Recruiting enquiries please phone 0800 NZ ARMY (0800 69 2769).
PROFILE: LT Aston Talbot - Boarding Team Officer
Exercise MARU was a recent multi-national, multi-agency exercise and part of the international
Proliferation Security Initiative. The exercise included ships from New Zealand, Australia, France, and
Singapore.
During Exercise MARU I was the Boarding Team officer for HMNZS TE KAHA; others taking part were
members of the NZ Customs, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), NZ Police and boarding teams
from the US Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy. Our boarding team spent a day with a camera crew
recording practice boardings for a documentary-style DVD.
The practice phase of the exercise involved a weekend at sea to run through the planned events
involving all four ships, and aircraft from New Caledonia, Japan, and NZ. During this phase, each
country practised boarding RESOLUTION several times, greatly increasing all our skills in the area.
How did I get this great job? I joined the Navy in 2005. If you saw the ‘Snotties’ TV show you will have
seen me under training! By September that year, I’d earned my Grade 3 Officer of the Watch certificate
– the bottom rung of the climb to command at sea.
Do you want to work in a variety of environments
such as on board a ship, at a Naval Base or on
deployment? Would you enjoy assisting with disaster
relief with members of other forces and other
countries? An occupation in the RNZN is more than a
job, it’s a career. Are you interested in gaining skills,
working with state of the art equipment and having a
job that changes from week to week?
I served in the small patrol craft HMNZS MOA, then went to Canada to serve
in HMCS ALGONQUIN – a big Area Air Defence Destroyer.
While in Canada I gained my Bridge Watch Keeping certificate and became
their ship’s Boarding Officer. I was promoted to Lieutenant this year and joined
TE KAHA. I’m now working on getting my Anzac frigate endorsements for
my Bridge Watch Keeping certificate during the big Five Power exercise off
Malaysia later this year.
Contact Navy Careers by calling 0800 GO NAVY (0800 696 289).
26 | One Force
photographers are sent out into the field to get
clicking.
The 22-year-old says she’s always had an interest
in photography and it’s a skill she’s been honing
since joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force in
2004.
“The best way to improve your photography is to
be always facing new challenges,” says Rachael.
“I’ve always had a huge interest in photography
and joining the Air Force as a photographer was
a way to get experience and skills without a
student loan.”
Once accepted on to the Junior Course,
photographers start four months fulltime
training. This has them looking at the way light
falls and photography theory, while the practical
side teaches them about different styles, from
portraiture and large group shots, to aerial and
technical.
Now that he is fully qualified Craig is seeking
a teaching role to train young Electronic
Technicians. “I’m looking forward to teaching
and passing on my skills and knowledge. The
Army is kind of like being at school in that you
always have all your mates around, but you’re
working and training at the same time.”
Have you got what it takes to be an Officer? A Gunner, a Cook or maybe an Educator? Interested in gaining a trade qualification such as
plumbing, carpentry or telecommunications? There are many Army careers to choose from, from apprenticeships to careers supporting
Army operations to combat and specialist roles such as fire-fighting and education.
Capturing the perfect shot is all part of the job for
Leading Aircraftsman (LAC) Rachael Main.
This initial four months is then followed by
two years on-the-job training, where the
During their two years training the photographers
build up a folio, showcasing their talent and
skills. Then it’s back into the classroom to make
short documentary videos and learn how to work
in variable conditions in the field.
Rachael’s career has taken her around the
world, where she has captured the New Zealand
Defence Force in action.
“As photographers we really do get some
great experiences. I’ve been over to London
photographing the unveiling of the NZ War
Memorial, to Australia on an exercise with 3
Squadron in Townsville and I’m just about to go
to Timor-Leste for three weeks. These are the sort
of jobs that really make me enjoy this career.”
Are you ready to step up? There are two ways you can take the first step towards a career in the Air Force. Careers can be split roughly
into four different areas: Aircrew, Ground Officers, Technical Trades and Operations Support Trades. Whatever you choose to do, you
can be sure your training will be world class and that we’ll help you every step of the way.
You can apply online at www.airforce.mil.nz or you can give us a call on 0800 Air Force
(0800 247 367) and we’ll send you an application pack.
s
e
i
t
i
n
u
t
r
o
p
p
o
for an extraordinary care
Electronic Warfare
an
As
Operators
are
Warf
ronic
Elect
Specialist you will be
responsible for operating
electronic systems that
collect, interpret and pass
on information to the
Ship’s Warfare Team from
sources surrounding the
ship. Electronic Warfare
analyse
Specialists
emissions
electronic
and operate a range of
modern and sophisticated
recording, receiving and
equipment.
analysis
0800 GO NAVY
Information systems
an
As
operator
Systems
Information
Operator you will work with
a range of information
systems technology from
single user computers
to powerful servers. You
will work with the latest
software and hardware
in one of New Zealand’s
largest computer networks.
0800 NZ ARMY
Divers On successful
the
of
completion
se
cour
r
Dive
nce
Defe
you’ll be employed with
the Operational Diving
Team at HMNZS Philomel,
performing routine diving
include
These
tasks.
ship’s hull maintenance
and assisting the Police
and other civil authorities
in searching for missing
evidence
persons,
disposal
and
ching
sear
of suspected improvised
devices.
explosive
0800 GO NAVY
Intelligence Operator
Your job will be to record,
process
and
collate
information from a variety
following
sources,
of
the ‘Intelligence Cycle’:
Collection,
Direction,
and
Processing
Dissemination. You will
need to be analytical and
able to operate under
stressful conditions in front
line in field conditions.
0800 NZ ARMY
Officer
Seaman
Navigation,
(War fare,
Ship Handling) To be a
Seaman Officer is to aspire
to be the Captain of your
own ship, a challenging
responsibility that requires
professional
leadership,
knowledge and skill, as
well as experience. You
will have the opportunity
to command from an
early stage of your career.
0800 GO NAVY
Supply Technician, As a
Supply Technician, your day
will vary between physical
training, unit and specific
trade training. Your basic
soldier skills are always
you
and
maintained,
get to enjoy the benefits
of the Army lifestyle.
0800 NZ ARMY
Driver As a driver, you
will be trained to operate
your vehicle by day and
by night, anywhere in the
world, and in all weather
conditions. You will be
driving, operating and
General
maintaining
Service vehicles and will
er
gain a range of licences
and licence endorsements.
0800 NZ ARMY
System
Combat
Combat
Specialists
Specialists
System
intercept and interpret
data and information from
surrounding sources using
state of the art sensors
RADAR,
interlink
that
SONAR and satellite based
systems. Following Basic
Common Training, you will
complete a specialised
course at the Maritime
Warfare Training Centre
at Devonpor t, Auckland.
0800 GO NAVY
Once you’ve
Pilot
completed pilot training,
on
concentrate
you’ll
organising and conducting
military operations and
tasks throughout NZ and
the world. Required: A
minimum of 18 NCEA
Level 2 credits in English,
maths and a science
subject, preferably physics.
0800 AIR FORCE
Engineering Officer As
an Engineering Officer you’ll
manage the maintenance
of RNZAF aircraft and
their mechanical, avionics
and armament systems.
You’ll be responsible for
the safety, airworthiness
of
availability
and
A
Required:
aircraft.
minimum of a Level 5
diploma in engineering
(aeronautical or electrical)
0800 AIR FORCE
Mechanic
Aircraft
As an Aircraft Mechanic
you’ll be a member of the
ground crew, responsible
for maintaining all aircraft
systems
mechanical
used on RNZAF aircraft.
0800 AIR FORCE
Safety and Surface
Mechanic As a Safety &
Surface Mechanic, you’ll
be a member of the ground
crew, responsible for all
aspects of maintenance
support
to
required
RNZAF aircraft operations.
0800 AIR FORCE
One Force | 27
Get into a job with a difference.
The Navy is a ‘World Class’ innovative and technologically advanced organisation, we are expanding and
right now we are looking for the right people with the right attitude to fill a wide range of exciting and
challenging positions. We will give you all the skills you need to contribute, and have a boat load of fun
at the same time. So if you’re looking for excitement, challenges, a great team and you think
that you’ve got what it takes - contact us today.
Get into a job with a difference.
The Navy is a ‘World Class’ innovative and technologically advanced organisation, we are expanding and
right now we are looking for the right people with the right attitude to fill a wide range of exciting and
challenging positions. We will give you all the skills you need to contribute, and have a boat load of fun
www.navy.mil.nz
Call 0800 NZ NAVY
at the same time. So if you’re looking for excitement, challenges, a great team and you think
that you’ve got what it takes - contact us today.
FREE TXT ‘NAVY’ to 5030
www.navy.mil.nz
Call 0800 NZ NAVY
NVY2273 Navy News June_real.indd1 1
FREE TXT ‘NAVY’ to 5030
22/5/08 16:14:31
NVY2273 Navy News June_real.indd1 1
22/5/08 16:14:31
Get into a job with a difference.
Navy is a ‘World Class’ innovative and technologically advanced organisation, we are expanding and
t now we are looking for the right people with the right attitude to fill a wide range of exciting and
lenging positions. We will give you all the skills you need to contribute, and have a boat load of fun
at the same time. So if you’re looking for excitement, challenges, a great team and you think
that you’ve got what it takes - contact us today.
ww.navy.mil.nz
0800 NZ NAVY
FREE TXT ‘NAVY’ to 5030
Get into a job with a difference.
Navy is a ‘World Class’ innovative and technologically advanced organisation, we are expanding and22/5/08
ne_real.indd1 1
16:14:31
t now we are looking for the right people with the right attitude to fill a wide range of exciting and
lenging positions. We will give you all the skills you need to contribute, and have a boat load of fun
NZAsame
0957 time.
Rcrtmnt-99x210-p
1
at the
So if you’re looking
for excitement, challenges, a great team and you think
7/10/08 4:04:21 PM
that you’ve got what it takes - contact us today.
ww.navy.mil.nz
0800 NZ NAVY
ne_real.indd1 1
FREE TXT ‘NAVY’ to 5030
stepup.mil.nz
22/5/08 16:14:31