one
force
An update from the New Zealand Defence Force
Issue #2 | April 2009
www.nzdf.mil.nz
defence force firefighters | search and rescue | antarctica
one
force
Defence an integral
part of New Zealand
As this publication goes to print, ANZAC Day 2009 is fast approaching. New Zealand’s closest strategic partnership
is with Australia. We have a tradition of mutual commitment to each other’s security, and of working together in
pursuit of shared strategic interests. At the core of the special ANZAC relationship is ‘mateship’ - a recognition
that no matter how much we might want to beat each other on the rugby field or netball court, at the end of the
day we have more in common than not.
This is why the Defence Force was proud to deploy a group of fire fighters as part of a wider New Zealand
contingent, to lend what assistance we could in the wake of the devastating Victorian bushfires. Their story is
captured in the centre spread of this magazine.
This story sits in sharp contrast to the feature on the Defence Force’s connection to Antarctica. From fire to ice. The
connection is of course that the New Zealand Defence Force adds value by providing the best people and right
equipment for tasks that matter to New Zealanders. Our people are trained and equipped for action in the most
demanding environments.
Other stories in this edition of One Force that express the integral part the NZDF is playing in New Zealand society
include a look at the Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) scheme. The LSV isn’t “boot camp”, but it shows the type of
expertise we can bring to initiatives that seek to help young people at risk of going off the rails. Nothing could be
more important to the security of our country than helping our young people realise their potential.
We introduce the new Minister of Defence and the Associate Minister of Defence, and also look at initiatives
within the Defence Force that are about NZDF doing its bit to help our nation through these tough economic times.
We have the Defence Transformation Programme (DTP) – a programme of work designed to ensure that the NZDF,
while preserving military capability, delivers simpler, better, more effective and more efficient support activities
in the Human Resource Management, Logistics and HQ areas. This is all about making the New Zealand Defence
Force a leaner, smarter, and more agile organisation. There is also an article on our improved corporate
management capability, which is helping ensure the Defence Force delivers value for money.
As the article written by Lt Col Ramsden about the prospect of building an enduring peace in
Afghanistan makes plain, our deployments are made to support New Zealand’s foreign policy
and security aims. It is a useful reminder of the vital role the NZDF has keeping New Zealand
secure and contributing to New Zealand’s wider security interests.
An update from the New Zealand Defence Force
Issue #2 | April 2009
Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae
Chief of Defence Force
our global *
deployments
New Zealand Defence Force personnel are currently deployed on 14
operations, UN missions and defence exercises around the world,
in places such as Antarctica, Afghanistan, Timor-Leste, Solomon
Islands, and Sudan. All overseas deployments are co-ordinated and
run by Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand.
Timor-Leste
Egypt (Sinai Peninsula)
Sudan
Israel/Lebanon/Syria
Iraq
Afghanistan
South Korea
Solomon Islands
NZDF Total
* As at 16 March 2009
155
26
4
7
1
141
3
41
378
Antarctica
10
Supporting scientific endeavour
for more than 50 years
defence Technology
Afghanistan: a forgotten war
LSV Company
8
6
24
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
ISBN: 978 0-478-11473-7
Ministry of Defence
Minister of Defence
Dr Wayne Mapp
“Modern, capable and effective” are three key words the new
Defence Minister uses to describe his vision for the New Zealand
Defence Force. He views his core purpose as “working for the people
who wear the nation’s uniform” while securing public confidence in
the NZDF as a capable and skilful force.
“It’s important to bring into service the new capabilities in a way that
shows all New Zealanders we’ve got a capable defence force; a
defence force that can do what we ask of it,” he says.
He says the Associate Minister has a
particular interest in recruiting and
retention matters, the latter being more
important than the former.
“We don’t have much trouble recruiting
people,” he says. “The biggest
challenge is keeping people with key
skills.”
The Minister says he has done “a lot of
thinking” over the past twenty years
about what sort of Defence Force New
Zealand requires, and he believes it
comes down to the central question of
“does the NZDF have the tools to do
what it needs to do?”
Lawyer and academic Dr Mapp (he has a PhD in international law from
Cambridge University), has first-hand experience of the NZDF, having
completed Territorial Force Basic training in 1973 and later commissioning.
Dr Mapp says he’s had some great experiences while serving in the
Territorial Force, the highlight perhaps being a parachute jump on to Great
Barrier Island with “enough gear for about a fortnight” before returning to
Auckland on a frigate.
Dr Mapp says that while he is satisfied
with the current deployment tempo, we
should remember that New Zealand’s
physical isolation from some theatres
brings its own set of challenges, and
not just for those abroad.
Associate Minister of Defence
Heather Roy
Associate Defence Minister Heather Roy says she
was pleased to have been offered a Ministerial
role with Defence for several reasons - in part, she
says, because we have a military that already “commands respect around
the world” but also because, as a member of the Territorial Forces herself,
she has a sound basis from which to build Defence policy: “I turn up at
Defence camps and bases and already know how things work. I’ve been
through some of what our service people have been through. So when I talk
about formulating policy I’ve actually had some experience on the ground.
You can sit in Wellington and read reports till the cows come home, but
unless you’ve experienced it yourself, you’ve got no real feeling for what life
is like for our soldiers, sailors and air men and women,” she says.
The Minister says she had often considered
joining the Army but it wasn’t until she assumed
responsibility for matters of national security as
part of her ACT Party responsibilities that her
interest in military matters was reignited.
A former physiotherapist, she initially joined the Territorial Force as a medic
but later transferred to the Engineering Corps as a Field Engineer. Although
she has had to hang up her uniform, the Minister says she may return to the
TF if circumstances change in the future. “I don’t regret joining the TF for
a moment – it was both physically and psychologically challenging. You’re
pushed to your limits and expected to put 110% into everything. I learned a
lot about myself in the process”
The Minister says New Zealand’s public could do worse than look to the New
Zealand Defence Force for lessons in comradeship and cooperation:“ You turn
up to Basic training, for example, and there’s people from all walks of life, just a
real range of socio-economic backgrounds. In the Defence Force it doesn’t matter
where you come from; it’s about getting in and doing what you’re there for.”
“Deployments are not just about the
people posted overseas – they’re
However, in 1996 he realised he would have to choose between serving in the also about the people here at home
Territorial Force and the demands of a political career.
supporting them, the logistics, and
It might seem unusual that an academic or a lawyer would seek out life as a
the sheer distances we need to travel
soldier, but Dr Mapp says: “Academia and law are very individual pursuits –
because of New Zealand’s geographic
basically you do the work by yourself. Joining the Reserve Forces means you’re location.”
no longer working by yourself. In becoming a member of the New Zealand
The Minister is also well aware of the
Defence Force, suddenly I was part of a large organisation, mixing with people sacrifices thousands of NZDF personnel
from all walks of life.”
make and says we should bear this in
Dr Mapp says he and the Associate Minister of Defence, Heather Roy (who has mind. “We ask a lot of our people. We
also been a member of the TF), have a good partnership, and they will often
ask them to deliver themselves into
travel together to visit NZDF personnel at home and abroad.
hostile environments and into harm’s
“We both see our roles as involving a responsibility to observe NZDF personnel way. I think being a member of the New
in the environments in which they’re actually working, whether that be here in Zealand Defence Force is an explicitly
patriotic way to serve one’s country.”
New Zealand, in Timor-Leste, the Solomon Islands or in Afghanistan.”
4 | One Force
I’ve been through some of what our service
people have been through. So when I talk
about formulating policy I’ve actually had
some experience on the ground.
The Territorial Forces Employer Support Council
(TFESC) Awards were launched in 2008 to
recognise employers who are committed to
supporting Reserve Forces (RF).
TFESC
Awards
In 2009 the awards ceremony will be held in
Wellington on 7 April, with three award categories:
• National Employer of the Year for Support to the
Reserve Forces
• Wider State Sector Employer of the Year
• Private Sector Employer of the Year.
In 2008 the supreme winner was the law firm
Minter Ellison Rudd Watts, chosen from 12
finalists for showing the greatest support for
their employee in his military duties. Minter
Ellison had granted solicitor Nick Jones seven
While she says she hopes certain issues
around equipment and procurement
will be resolved by the end of this year,
she says it’s important to remember
that the strength of the Defence Force
is due to the people involved. “It’s not
really about how many frigates we have
or how many aircraft we own – it is
primarily about people, the contribution
they make and remembering that they
need to be looked after”.
months leave to be the Platoon Commander on
Operation Rata in the Solomon Islands. Nick’s
senior colleagues saw the deployment not only as
part of his development as a Reserve Force Officer
and a person but also as part of his civilian career
progression as a lawyer. TFESC Chairman John Allen is encouraged and
delighted to see employers supporting their staff
members’ involvement in the Reserve Forces and
said, “Employers can only gain from encouraging
their employee’s involvement in the Reserves. In
return for their support they get highly motivated
and energised employees that are confident
team players with problem solving and effective
communication skills.”
One Force | 5
Opinion Piece
While proper resourcing is important, a more focused and
collaborative approach is key. Security improvements occur when
the population sees growth in governance capacity and tangible
development effort. The real question is, how do you achieve
this?
While ISAF might acknowledge their part in the solution, other
key players are also stepping up to the mark.
The United Nations Assistance Mission Afghanistan had its
mandate reinvigorated and strengthened under UN Resolution
1806 in March 2008. With the appointment of a UN Special
Representative of the Secretary General, Ambassador Kai Eide,
the Assistance Mission has a clearly defined leadership role which
ISAF fully supports.
AFGHANISTAN:
A KIWI
PERSPECTIVE
Until recently NZ soldier Lieutenant
Colonel Jeremy Ramsden was the Deputy
Chief of Plans at the Headquarters of the
International Security Assistance Force
(ISAF), in Kabul, Afghanistan. NATO awarded
him their Meritorious Service Medal for his
contribution – the first New Zealander to
receive such an award. Here Lt Col Ramsden
gives his view of a conflict that is out of sight
and out of mind for many New Zealanders.
It was a bloody summer. Every day, almost without exception, the
flags of the 40-odd International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
coalition nations would fly at half mast outside the headquarters
building in Kabul. And every day I would express my condolences
to one or another of my colleagues at the death of a service
member from their country. And every day at the Plans Branch we
would grapple with the complexity of the security problem – of
where to next for the mission?
Ours was not the task to develop plans to contend with the
immediacy of insurgency. It was to pitch to the future; to give
effect to the Afghan government and ISAF’s aim of establishing a
secure environment. And in so doing, to try to improve the lives
of the Afghan people.
Afghanistan’s is not a conventional war. Simply “whacking and
schwacking” insurgents – as my previous ISAF Commander liked
to say - has its limitations.
This is a difficult counter-insurgency campaign that will take time
to resolve. (The average time for the successful conclusion of
counter-insurgency campaigns since WWII has been 16 years).
First we must understand the nature of the problem: in this case
the causes of insecurity. They are many and inter-related.
Current insurgent motivation is both ideological and grievance-
6 | One Force
The UN’s Special Representative is crucial to the coordination
of ISAF-led security operations and wider governance and
development efforts with the Afghan government.
based due to the failure of successive governments to meet the
population’s basic needs and offer sustainable alternatives to
violence.
With a 50% increase in funding there is no reason, over time,
that the UN Assistance Mission
should not develop the capacity
to effectively exercise their
leadership responsibility.
At the heart of the insurgents’ motivation is a strong and
independent culture that draws heavily on religious faith. Let
down by successive governments and external actors, the
responsibility to protect and provide for one’s own is strong.
The presence of ISAF (a term I use here to include all troops
involved in the international security mission, including US troops
under Operation Enduring Freedom) and a more generic wariness
of western values and their perceived dominance, leads Afghans
to feel their way of life, values and faith are threatened.
These concerns are stoked by the growing influence of Salafist
and Deobandi teaching, a culture that values arms and force as
an expression of strength and a means of earning respect.
Motivation in itself, however, is not enough to cause the violence;
there has to be an opportunity to mobilise.
The weakness of the Afghan government and of the Afghan
National Security Forces, and strong tribal and clan affiliations
has led to ‘ungoverned space’, enabling the safe havens to be
created. Combined with a prevalence of weapons, these provide
a venue for mobilisation, training and preparation.
Against this backdrop fewer troops are not the answer, at least
not initially. The reason ISAF has not been as successful as many
would have liked is precisely because of limited troops and
resources.
More troops, both to fight the counter insurgency campaign
(the immediate problem) and to develop the capacity of the
Afghan National Security Forces (part of the longer-term solution)
are essential to underwrite an Afghan solution and enable the
eventual withdrawal of foreign troops.
LT COL Ramsden
The Bucharest Summit in 2008
showed that among world
leaders there is the political will
to match the rhetoric and this
was backed up with the Paris
Donors Conference in June ‘08
– a triumph for multilateralism,
where over US$20 billion was
pledged to underwrite the
Afghan National Development
Strategy; the new blueprint
to give impact to the Afghan
Compact of 2006.
The Afghan National Development Strategy is a five year strategy,
prepared after two years of analysis and priority setting, drawing
on extensive national and sub-national consultations. It is an
Afghan-owned blueprint for progress in all spheres of life, and
the Afghan government’s road map for the long desired objective
of ‘Afghanization’ and transition towards stability, self-sustaining
growth, and human development.
Winning the people over is what will win this war; this means
improving the lives of Afghans. This is not solely a military
problem.
I worked closely with the Afghan National Security Forces on
developing a partnering model. Implicit in the model is that ISAF,
over time, will move from a supported to a supporting role; the
Afghans will take the lead.
‘Transition’ of Kabul City and increasingly Kabul Province is a
small but extremely important step when matters of nationalism,
progress and responsibility are concerned.
Just as important in supporting transition is developing the
capacity of the Afghan National Security Forces; not just the
Army, but increasingly the police.
It has to be an Afghan solution to their security problems to give
credibility to the Afghan government in the eyes of the people. To
maintain the status quo, or draw down troops (including police)
prematurely would undermine this solution, and court failure.
The Afghanistan situation is complex; the challenges immense.
No single organisation - be it ISAF, the government, or the United
Nations Assistance Mission, is capable of achieving its objectives
in isolation.
The inability of both the Afghan government and the
international community to rapidly deliver progress following
the Taliban’s ousting has reinforced the sense of grievance and
the need for groups to provide for themselves, increasing the
motivation for resistance.
There is a vicious circle, with the lack of security affecting the
ability of the government to deliver governance, while the lack
of effective governance contributes to the level of insecurity. The
social contract between the state and the population is at risk.
A comprehensive and integrated approach is required.
It is not acceptable, as has happened in the past, that ISAF or the
Afghan National Security Forces secure an area and three valleys
away in an insecure area, a new school is allowed to be burnt to
the ground.
More local ownership is required; sustainable progress in
transforming conflict can only be made by local people. In this
process the military must recognise its own limitations. The
challenge is to integrate the security line of operation (ISAF’s),
with the governance responsibility (belonging to the Afghan
government) and development (United Nations) lines to produce
a combined effect.
On ISAF’s side this means genuine engagement, showing
‘operational patience’, understanding the long game, and
positioning for it. For the UN Mission it means filling their
establishment and giving effect to their mandate responsibilities.
For the Afghan government, extending appropriate governance
and dealing with corruption.
Afghanistan needs the leadership of the Afghan government, and
that of the United Nations, to make a difference.
Problems of insecurity, poverty, and corruption remain daunting.
With a comparatively modest increase in troop numbers and a
more focused and synchronised approach, we have a recipe for
success.
The plan requires Afghan ownership, but will they step up? The
answer is that they are, and given the stakes I expect more so.
The desire of the people is certainly evident. I greatly admire
Afghans for their fortitude; with a life expectancy of only 47
years, an average age of 23 years, over 30 years of war and
having to spend two-thirds of their monthly income on food, they
can still smile and believe things will get better.
One Force | 7
Technology
Composite Structure
Autonomous Underwater
Vehicles
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are fundamental to the Navy’s ability
to counter sea mine threats against trade routes and strategic national assets.
AUVs are operated via commands that are programmed into the vehicle prior
to launch, allowing the vehicle to autonomously complete a desired mission.
These vehicles are equipped with sensors that gather valuable sub-surface
environment data. Since modelling and simulation can assist with the tactical
use of AUV systems, the Defence Technology Agency has created a virtual
simulation environment for studying the behaviour and performance of AUVs.
Recommendations to assist the Navy with the optimum use of these unmanned
assets are routinely provided by Defence Technology Agency.
SEA BREEZE 2009
Fit to Fight
In support of the NZ Army’s drive to develop soldiers
who are ‘Fit to Fight, Fit for Life’, Human Systems
scientists from the Defence Technology Agency have
begun a comprehensive programme of monitoring
the physical characteristics, hydration status and
basic health of new recruits.
Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Squadron
The Defence Technology Agency’s Human Systems group works closely
with the NZDF’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron (1NZEOD SQN),
providing scientific support and technical advice. The Human Systems
group provides 1NZEOD SQN with up-to-date advice and information on
potential chemical and biological (CB) threats, detection and identification
equipment, protective equipment and decontamination methods.
Human Systems personnel also contribute to the all-of-government
counter-terrorism response planning alongside other agencies including
the NZ Police, NZ Fire Service and Ministry of Health.
Appropriate nutrition and training play a major
role in physical and cognitive performance, but
little is known of the current nutrition, training
and lifestyle knowledge and practices of new Army
recruits, nor the physiological status and how this
is affected by the All Arms Recruit Course. Recruits
undertaking the current 14 week course and later
the new 16 week course will be assessed at the
start, middle and end of their training, to gain a
better understanding of the impact of the AARC and
to evaluate the effectiveness of nutrition education
and an enhanced catering programme on health
and performance.
The relationship between baseline physical
characteristics, course outcome and injury incidence
will also be explored and this will help guide future
activities of the Army Recruit Nutrition and Health
Project.
Monitoring began in February 2009 with the
screening of 135 male and female recruits at
Waiouru and will continue throughout the year.
8 | One Force
The Defence Technology Agency scientists and collaborators from
Australia, the US and the UK recently completed a two week trial,
SEA BREEZE 2009, in the Bay of Plenty. This work forms one of the
most detailed investigations of radar performance during coastal
mesoscale circulations ever undertaken. The results of this trial
will provide much needed insights into sea breeze-driven radar
propagation in environments of strategic importance to
the NZDF.
Using a newly designed meteorological sensor payload on the
Kahu UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) system, the dynamic
shifts in temperature and humidity associated with SEA BREEZE
development and radar propagation ducts can be detected and
relayed to scientists in real time. While collecting meteorological
data, the UAV also captures high-resolution images of the
battlespace, including this image of (unaware) DTA staff operating
a suite of radar receivers from their container on Thornton Beach,
Bay of Plenty.
Testing a carbon-epoxy composite laminate sample.
To support the NH90 and Seasprite helicopters, as well as the
RNZAF’s Boeing 757, the Applied Vehicle Systems Group of
the Defence Technology Agency is working with the RNZAF
to develop improved methods of assessing the strength
of composite structures. Composite materials offer great
advantages over traditional metals, providing light weight
and high strength along with good resistance to fatigue and
corrosion. However, aerospace composite components can be
vulnerable to impacts causing internal damage which may be
difficult to detect.
Automatic
Identification
System for
the NZDF
The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is
a valuable resource for understanding New
Zealand’s maritime domain. AIS-equipped vessels
report their position and other information on a
regular basis primarily to ensure safety at sea.
In the New Zealand Defence Force, all RNZN
vessels are equipped with AIS transponders, as
a complement to other equipment, to enable
them to support rescue and other operations in
the New Zealand area. The Defence Technology
Agency is assisting the NZDF to achieve an
optimal capability.
One Force | 9
Partly because of its geographical location, New
Zealand has a long term interest in Antarctica, and
successive New Zealand governments have affirmed
our commitment to keep the continent (all 13 million
square kilometres of it), peaceful and protected.
New Zealand has a respected voice in the
international community about the future of the
continent and we are among the seven countries
who, theoretically, have a ‘claim’ on parts of
Antarctica. All claims are ‘frozen’ under the Antarctic
Treaty in which Treaty nations agreed that “it is
in the interest of all mankind that Antarctica shall
continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful
purposes and shall not become the scene or object
of international discord.”
The Treaty also states that “Military
personnel and equipment may be used
in Antarctica but only for scientific
support purposes”.
The New Zealand Defence Force’s connection with
the ice goes back to 1956 when the Royal New
Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Endeavour carried
personnel, dogs, aircraft and stores to the Antarctic
to support the NZ Party of the Commonwealth Trans
Antarctic Expedition, which was led by Sir Edmund
Hillary.
Antarctica
Antarctica is perhaps one of the few places in the world
that has never seen a war. Protected by the Antarctic Treaty
1959, activity on the vast white continent is dedicated to
scientific discovery and peaceful enterprise. The NZDF has
had a close relationship with the ice for more than 50 years.
Since then the NZDF has continued to provide
support in terms of air transport and logistics to New
Zealand’s Antarctic programme on an annual basis.
Lou Sanson of Antarctic NZ recently said:“Since the
inception of the New Zealand Antarctic Programme
the NZDF has been a valuable partner in our
presence in Antarctica. NZDF provides vital support
through the provision of a Hercules intercontinental
air link, cargo handling services in Christchurch and
McMurdo and a number of staff positions at Scott
Base. This includes a large contingent of drivers and
movement operators, a Light Engineering team and
the Scott Base communications and cargo support
team. The NZDF team has provided a professional
and valuable addition to life on the Ice for over fifty
years.”
Personnel who deploy to Antarctica invariably
describe it as a very special place. Defence Force
personnel are, of course, used to working in severe
conditions (such as the heat of Timor-Leste or the
Solomon Islands) but the elements are particularly
extreme in Antarctica, where one can be operating in
either perpetual daylight or perpetual darkness, and
temperatures can fall as low as minus 40oc.
10 | One Force
One Force | 11
Antarctic NZ
recognises NAVY
Lieutenant’s
work on the ice
On 2 March 2009 Antarctic New Zealand presented Ross
Hickey, a Lieutenant in the Royal New Zealand Navy,
with their prestigious ‘Change of Season Pennant’ in
acknowledgement of his team’s excellent work at Scott
Base over the 2008/2009 season deployment. Endeavour’s
journey South
In December 1956 HMNZS ENDEAVOUR set sail from Wellington
with personnel, Greenland Huskie dogs, Auster and Beaver
aircraft and various stores to support the Commonwealth Trans
Antarctic Expedition (CTAE). The CTAE expedition’s goal to cross
the frozen Continent was supported by government, commercial
and public contributions.
Commanded by Captain Harry Kirkwood (an experienced ice
navigator) who was contracted to the Royal New Zealand Navy,
ENDEAVOUR’s task was to land the New Zealand section of
the expedition (under the leadership of Sir Edmund Hillary)
and assist with the unloading of cargo and the subsequent
construction of Scott Base. The establishment of Scott Base by
the New Zealand party would facilitate our country’s long term
national commitment to scientific research in Antarctica.
The previous summer Lieutenant Commander Bill Smith,
Royal Navy, had gone south with ‘Op Deepfreeze’ to scout for
unloading sites for ENDEAVOUR, and the RNZN appointed him
the ship’s First Lieutenant. The Royal Navy also loaned Chief
Petty Officer Peter Mulgrew to the expedition as one of the
two radio operators. The NZ party’s Auster and Beaver aircraft,
Lieutenant Ross Hickey, who recently led a NZDF team over the
austral summer season there noted on his return, “Our personnel
in Antarctica work in very hostile environmental conditions but the
work they do is important for the smooth operation of Scott Base
and McMurdo Station.”
Personnel deployed to McMurdo Station assist with air
movements and logistics and ship offload operations; while at
Scott Base they work in communications, cargo handling, stores,
and administration. The Royal New Zealand Air Force makes about
14 flights to Antarctica each year, using a Hercules C-130. An
12 | One Force
capable of operating on wheels, floats, or skis – packed aboard
ENDEAVOUR – were accompanied by three staff from the Royal
New Zealand Air Force.
ENDEAVOUR was escorted to the edge of the ice by two HMNZS
frigates PUKAKI and HAWEA. ENDEAVOUR departed Bluff on 21
December and met the two frigates at sea. Christmas Day was
bright and sunny but by the 27th off Scott Island the ships were
among light pack ice. It was time for the two frigates to depart
and conduct oceanographic observations as they returned to
New Zealand.
HMNZS ENDEAVOUR reached the ice on 5 January (after
assistance from the ice breaker USS GLACIER – in coming years
GLACIER, the most powerful US icebreaker, would become
a familiar visitor to NZ ports and an icon of the Antarctic
programme). Unloading ENDEAVOUR continued until
25 January. She returned to New Zealand on 22 February,
bringing the construction party and other summer workers home.
Captain Kirkwood noted that ENDEAVOUR’s journey to the ice
in 1956 “was not just a means to an end but an integral and
vital factor in establishing the first NZ Antarctic Base.”
RNZAF P-3 Orion made its first successful landing in Antarctica in
2006, touching down on a glacial runway.
The NZDF also provides personnel for Terminal Operations at
Christchurch International Airport to manage flights headed to the
ice. Over the 2008/2009 summer the NZDF deployed 74 personnel
to Antarctica including: a summer-long Scott Base Support
Element, a Rigging Team from 5 Movement Company (Army),
a Light Engineering Team and a Ship Offload Team. The Royal
New Zealand Air Force’s 40 Squadron conducted six re-supply
flights from Christchurch to Pegasus Airfield, Ross Ice Shelf and 5
Ross had just returned from a summer posting to the Antarctic, where he
was the New Zealand Defence Force’s Senior National Officer (SNO) and
Logistic Support Coordinator for Antarctic New Zealand.
Antarctic New Zealand’s Programme Manager, Erik Barnes, said, “Every
year we perform the raising and lowering of the flag (summer flag to
winter pennant). The ceremony indicates the transition from the summer
to winter season and the handover of leadership. The flag is traditionally
given to star performers as one of our highest recognitions. I wanted
to present the Scott Base Winter Flag to Lieutenant Ross Hickey for his
outstanding performance this summer in both his roles as Antarctic NZ
Logistics Support Coordinator and the Senior National Officer. Ross was
a key player in the success of this season and worked hard to provide an
appropriate level of awareness about New Zealand Defence Force issues
and presence with Antarctic New Zealand.”
local landmarks.”
Ross is the first New Zealand Defence Force
serviceperson to receive the award, which was
presented to him at a small ceremony at the
Antarctic New Zealand Centre in Christchurch. “It
was an absolute privilege to accept the pennant
and I am keen to note the fantastic work of the rest
of my NZDF team during the deployment”, he said.
Summing up the four month deployment, Ross
said he and his team were glad to have had the
opportunity to continue to strengthen the long
term partnership between the New Zealand
Defence Force and Antarctic New Zealand. “The
NZDF effort in Antarctica can sometimes be
overlooked due to its size and location but it offers
invaluable resource to the Antarctic programme
and international relations.”
As Senior National Officer, Ross’s tasks included overseeing a team
of eight NZDF personnel and providing logistic support to the various
scientific teams working on the ice. At times this would involve Ross and
his team taking fuel and supplies up to 150 miles south of Base to the
Darwin Glacier – an area Ross describes as “breathtakingly stunning.” During his ‘watch’, Ross oversaw over sixty ship offloads, but also took
time to enjoy some of the sights.
“While every person maintains a high workload throughout the
deployment, it didn’t stop us from being able to get out and see some of
this beautiful frozen continent. On our one day off each week we’d take
trips to Scott’s or Shackleton’s Huts, the ice caves, the ski fields or other
LT Hickey’s team – SPR Dan Fenton, SGT
Kim Johnstone, SGT Emma Hambleton, CPL
Roger Gardner, AWTR Erin Smale, LCPL
Mai Mailata, LCPL Joseph Armstrong.
“Our personnel in
Antarctica work in very
hostile environmental
conditions but the work
they do is important for
the smooth operation of
Scott Base and McMurdo
Station.”
Squadron has supported the Antarctic Monitoring Working Group with fishing vessel surveillance
patrols.
As Antarctica continues to be a focus for collaboration and research, the New Zealand Defence
Force is proud to continue its supporting role in the fascinating if vulnerable continent. During his
speech at the 50th Anniversary of Scott Base in 2007, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General
Jerry Mateparae noted “I say without reservation that the New Zealand Defence Force is very
satisfied with the contribution it has made, is making and will make to New Zealand’s efforts
in Antarctica. We’re proud of the people who have served here – both military and civilian”.
Lieutenant General Mateparae and other New Zealand Defence Force personnel had accompanied
adventuring legend Sir Edmund Hillary to the Antarctic to mark the 50th anniversary of Scott Base.
One Force | 13
Baptism
f o r 1 s t K i w i Cont i ngent
Victorian bush fires 2009
• 4500 km² (450,000+ ha) burned out
• 210 confirmed dead; 500 injured; 100
admitted to hospital – 20 in critical
condition; and 37 missing
• Over 3,500 structures destroyed,
including:
NZDF personnel
• Corporal CJ Kennedy
• Staff Sergeant DL Murray
• Warrant Officer WS Bramley
• Sergeant RJ Allen
• Lance Corporal ER Pepperell (not pictured)
Black Saturday, 7 February, 2009:
More than six hundred fires; 400,000 hectares burning out of control;
at least 200 people dead; a further 37 missing; and an estimated
7,500 people left homeless. This was the largest single civil disaster in
Australian history.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, having witnessed first-hand the
fires’ cruel impact, noted: “Hell and all its fury has visited the good
people of Victoria in the last 24 hours.”
New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key was quick to contact his
Australian counterpart to offer assistance. He said “At times like
this the closeness and importance of the relationship between our
two countries comes to the forefront.” The mutual aid agreement,
established in the early 1990s between Australia, Canada, the USA
and New Zealand to assist each other in the event of such major
wildfire, was swiftly activated.
“At times like this the closeness
and importance of the
relAtionship between our two
countries comes to the forefront.”
New Zealand immediately offered 100 personnel to assist the 4000
Australians battling blazes – no small contribution given the extreme
fire risk that also existed in parts of New Zealand at this time.
And so the 1st NZ Contingent was formed: 52 fire fighters, air
operations personnel, fire behaviour specialists and incident
management team members. NZ Police also deployed specialist
Disaster Victim Identification personnel and dog teams to Victoria.
Members of rural fire crews from Northland, Rotorua, Southland,
the West Coast and Dunedin were joined by fire fighters from the
Department of Conservation and a five person New Zealand Defence
Force fire crew (three fire fighters from Linton, one from Waiouru, and
one from Burnham).
Commander of Joint Forces New Zealand, Major General Rhys Jones
said he was pleased the Defence Force could offer assistance. Before
an Air Force Boeing 757 delivered the Kiwis to Melbourne he summed
up the task ahead:
“There’s no doubt that the personnel heading to Australia will
face a challenging situation, but I’m confident their training and
professionalism will see them meet the challenge.”
The assignment for the first seven day rotation was to the Yarra Valley
area and the town of Wesburn, 62 km east of Melbourne.
• 2,029 houses
• 59 commercial properties
• 12 community buildings (including 3
schools, 2 police stations, 1 fire station,
and 3 churches)
• 1536 farm buildings and sheds
• 7500 people left homeless
• 1680 km² (168,000 ha) of pasture burnt
• 25,600 tonnes of stored fodder and
grain destroyed
The major concern was the risk to the water catchment area
that is vital to the city of Melbourne. Forested catchment areas
supplying five of Melbourne’s nine major dams were affected
by the fires. The dangers were obvious: an ACT fire fighter was
killed near Marysville on the night of 17 February, when a burntout tree collapsed onto his fire tanker.
Alan Thompson, Information Officer for the 1st Kiwi Contingent,
in his first of several messages home, noted that the Kiwis’
job did not involve spectacular pictures of massive fire fronts,
towering plumes of smoke, hose lines or jets of water. Just hard
backbreaking work.
“This is ‘Dry Fire Fighting’ using hand tools and is hard, dirty and
dusty work. Most of the active fire on the line is as a result of
back burning or blacking out.”
The New Zealanders stayed in a camping area in two person
tents. Conditions in camp were difficult – during the day tents
were so hot that night crews were assigned cabins with the
windows blacked out to cope.
A second contingent of 57 New Zealand fire fighters flew by
Royal New Zealand Air Force Hercules to Australia on 4 March to
help contain the continuing bushfires in Victoria.
Prime Minister John Key
14 | One Force
One Force | 15
Business
Priorities
Executive Leadership Team:
MAJ GEN Gardiner, AVM Lintott, RADM Jack Steer, LT GEN Mateparae, Maurice Horner, RADM Ledson, MAJ GEN Jones, Dr Graeme Benny
Defence Transformation Programme SIMPLER AND BETTER
targeting waste
The Defence Transformation Programme (DTP) is a comprehensive, New Zealand Defence Force
change programme, supported by the Chief of Defence Force (CDF) and endorsed by
the Executive Leadership Team.
Its vision is to have: ‘A single organisational approach enabling
simpler and better support functions to the three Services and
Operations’. What this means is that support functions will
be driven by Defence priorities, with regard to Service-specific
requirements. Through identifying improved processes and
simplified structures that reflect a single organisational approach,
the DTP aims to free up vital resources to invest back into our
core business – supporting the front line.
managing and leading our people through the Human Resource
Management (HRM) stream; and will have improved the ‘valueadd’ of my Headquarters,” said Lieutenant General Mateparae.
In August 2008 the DTP programmes were reorganised, with
a tighter focus on those streams that would accomplish
truly transformational change. Three major streams were
identified: Logistics, NZDF Headquarters, and Human Resource
Management (HRM), which includes Education and Training to
provide a holistic view of personnel training, development and
management.
These programmes will constantly look for opportunities to
preserve military capability, and offer a simpler, better, effective
and more efficient way of working. There is significant work
required across the three programmes, but by the middle of
this year the DTP will put forward options for decision by the
Executive Leadership Team, for simplifying and refocusing the
support activities in the HRM, Logistics and HQ areas.
“My expectation is that by June 2010, the DTP will be delivering
a new way of conducting logistics support; a new way of training,
16 | One Force
Ongoing improvements to New Zealand Defence Force’s corporate management capability
have been a key organisational change, says Corporate Financial Officer, Maurice Horner.
In a sense, you could say the New Zealand Defence
Force runs its own airline, its own shipping line, and its
own international logistics company – and they all need
to operate in some of the most inhospitable and inaccessible
environments in the world.
With over 14,000 employees, if the Defence Force were a private
commercial business, it would be the fourth largest in New
Zealand. So in the New Zealand context, the Defence Force is a
large and complex organisation.
The Executive Leadership Team set up the Defence Transformation
Programme in 2007 to allow accelerated change and to meet a
mid-2010 deadline. There were some immediate tactical needs
to be addressed through five programmes, and the initial success
of these gave space and resources to refocus on more strategic
programmes.
Lieutenant General Mateparae, Chief of Defence Force, said, “I
would note that we embarked [on DTP 18 months ago] because
we thought it was the right thing to do. We wanted to become
more efficient; we wanted to do things simpler; and we wanted
to do things better. We embarked on the DTP because it made
sense. It’s just that now the fiscal sense brings a sharper focus to
the common sense of doing things better.”
Managing for mission success
But our mission is simple: to keep New Zealand secure.
For the New Zealand Defence Force our day-to-day direction
is set by the Executive Leadership Team (the ELT), which is the
primary governance body of the Defence Force and is chaired
by the Chief of Defence Force. It’s the ELT’s job to ensure we are
‘Three Services as One Force, being the best in everything we
What are the three programmes doing?
HRM Change Programme: This programme will focus on
Human Resource Management Structures and Delivery, assessing
how Education and Training functions can provide required
tools, and how Information Systems data can be improved to
enable timely and quality decision making. A payroll project will
also explore how to streamline and improve the complicated
processes within the NZDF payroll.
Logistics Change Programme: Logistics is a substantial and
complex business area, with significant resources attached in
the form of personnel, budget, assets and inventory. Even small
efficiencies in Logistics could create significant gain in other
departments. The Logistics Change Programme is exploring all
efficiency and effectiveness opportunities in order to identify the
best Logistics model for the NZDF.
HeadQuarters (HQ) Change Programme: The NZDF HQ is
tasked with supporting the Chief of Defence Force and Service
Chiefs to effectively deliver government requirements and
operational outputs. The HQ Change Programme is exploring
how to do this most effectively, removing process duplication and
improving productivity.
do’ – NZDF’s Vision Statement, which reflects the belief that the
whole, or what we call the “joint effect”, can be greater than the
sum of the parts.
So how has NZDF responded to this challenge?
For a start, we have gone about building our corporate
management capability. In particular, the position of General
Manager Organisational Support was established, taking
responsibility for the Headquarters and NZDF’s massive
procurement and ICT arms. This allowed the Vice Chief of Defence
to concentrate more fully on the strategic direction and planning
for the Defence Force.
A planning department was created – its first task, to pull
together the Strategic Plan. NZDF launched its first enterprise
level Strategic Plan in March 2007. That plan provides guidance
for all subordinate strategic planning and for annual planning
and budgeting through the Defence Planning Directive.
Concurrent with the development of the Strategic Plan was the
development of the Defence Performance Management System.
It includes a Balanced Scorecard to monitor the execution of the
Strategic Plan and intent. We adopted and adapted the balanced
scorecard developed by the United Kingdom Defence Forces.
The balanced scorecard methodology has been employed to
transform the NZDF’s mission statement and business strategy
into specific and quantifiable goals, and to monitor the
organisation’s performance in terms of achieving those goals.
Once analysed, the data gathered helps us make better business
decisions.
The NZDF is also endeavouring to set a new standard for risk
management that will improve and expand our risk management
capacity without adding unnecessary process. The NZDF Risk
Management Framework (RMF) requires that the organisation
demonstrate it is actively managing risk. Risk management is
therefore part of all governance processes. It is integrated into
the development and implementation of any business plan,
policy, programme or project.
All of these initiatives demonstrate that the NZDF has committed
to strategic planning and performance management systems to
ensure ‘mission success’.
One Force | 17
New initiatives help to
keep skilled people
Search and
Rescue
A better work-life balance, less household shifts, and improved
recognition of qualifications are some of the strategies that are
encouraging skilled people to stay in the New Zealand Defence Force.
Navy, Army and Air Force attrition figures are
all below their expected levels for the 08/09
financial year and all three Services are below
the core public sector average of 18 percent,
says Assistant Chief, Personnel, Brigadier Mark
Wheeler.
Recruitment and retention have been critical
issues for the New Zealand Defence Force in
recent years, as it sustains a large number
of overseas operational commitments, while
bringing on new capabilities as part of a
significant period of rebuilding.
“The main emphasis of retention work has
been on identifying the reasons why personnel
– especially experienced staff – are choosing
to leave and then tailoring strategies that
encourage them to stay,” he says.
A previously buoyant labour market made
it harder for New Zealand’s Navy, Army and
Air Force to attract and retain personnel. But
new figures show that both recruitment and
attrition have improved in the last six months,
and overall, total Defence Force numbers have
grown. At the end of December 2008, the
Defence Force nominal strength was 14,150
personnel. This is an increase of 605 people
(4.5 percent) since the same period last year.
“The NZDF is reviewing the number of postings
that require moving households. It is enhancing
career management services and encouraging
work-life balance by rationalising workloads,
and improving accreditation and cross-crediting
of civilian qualifications.
“Our new Military Remuneration System (MRS)
will be fully implemented by July 2009. It
enables the salary settings of military positions
to be compared with similar jobs in the wider
employment market, provide Service personnel
with more choice as to how they receive their
total remuneration package, and give personnel
a more transparent understanding of the total
rewards they receive.
“We are pleased that initiatives like these
appear to be having a positive impact. The
tougher economic outlook is another reason
people are considering a career in the Defence
Force, and another reason those already in
New Zealand’s Navy, Army or Air Force might be
choosing to stay longer.”
Brigadier Wheeler says the complete picture
around personnel is more positive than a year
ago – total numbers have increased, and along
with more skilled people choosing to stay,
recruiting is also up.
18 | One Force
on 24/7 Standby
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the Royal
New Zealand Air Force 5 Squadron has an aircraft, full crew and
maintenance personnel on standby for Search and Rescue (SAR).
NZDF 12-month rolling attrition by Service
Brigadier Wheeler says the
June – Dec 2008.
Defence Force has been
recruiting the maximum
Month
NAVY
ARMY
AIR
number of personnel into
Jul-08
17.46% 15.14%
9.92%
initial and trade training
courses. Targeting staff with
Aug-08
17.76% 15.16% 10.02%
previous military experience is
Sep-08
17.52% 15.48%
9.71%
also paying dividends.
Oct-08
17.42% 15.32%
9.53%
“Recruitment initiatives include
a new advertising approach
Nov-08
that uses the internet and
Dec-08
mobile phone technology more
effectively, while continuing to
Difference:
focus on the traditional media
like television, print and road shows.”
Of the three Services, the Army has experienced
the greatest people growth, with 250 more
personnel (or a growth of 3.6 percent). The Air
Force has grown by 129 personnel (4.3 percent),
while Navy numbers grew by 48 (a 1.8 percent
increase).
16.97%
14.8%
9.46%
16.76%
14.82%
8.99%
- 0.24
- 0.18
- 1.01
Whether it’s a regular working day, a weekend or
Christmas Day, the P-3K Orion aircraft can be airborne
at a moment’s notice to aid people in distress at sea.
In 1948-49 New Zealand subscribed to the ‘Chicago
Convention’, which meant that New Zealand
acknowledges an international obligation to provide aid
to any distressed person in or around New Zealand. As
it turns out, although New Zealand is a comparatively
small country, it’s been given one of the largest SAR
regions in the world to protect – 6 million square
nautical miles!
The best asset to cover this large expanse of ocean
is the P-3K Orion, part of the Airborne Surveillance
Reconnaissance Force within the RNZAF. With careful
fuel management the P3 can remain airborne for up to
15 hours and can reach as far as Hawaii in one flight.
It has a range of sensors onboard that can be used for
searching at sea including radar, infra-red, electro-optics,
ESM and of course windows for visual detection.
On an SAR mission the aircraft carries green search
flares, items as radios, water and food that can be
dropped to survivors, and two Sea Rescue Apparatus
which contain self inflating 10 man life rafts and survival
equipment.
On average, 5 Squadron conducts seven to 15 SAR
missions per year. In March of last year a fishing vessel
with engine trouble in the vicinity of Tonga was rescued
as a result of 5 Squadron’s efforts. The success was
largely due to the fact that the vessel had a 406MHz
beacon on board that enabled the Orion to fly directly
to the vessel’s position. In contrast in October last year
an Orion spent two full days searching in the vicinity of
Kiribati for a missing vessel.
Six million square nautical miles of ocean is a large area,
therefore the Orion crew has a very hard job ahead of
them attempting to find distressed or missing persons
at sea without a beacon. If survivors have a beacon,
in particular a 406MHz beacon with an attached GPS,
the search area can be reduced to only a few metres
making the Orion’s job a lot easier and the chances of a
successful rescue very high.
As we go to print, an RNZAF Orion took just 52 minutes
to locate a stranded vessel off the coast of Tonga,
dropping radios and equipment to its occupants before
liaising with a Tongan patrol craft who completed the
rescue.
One Force | 19
Interview with:
the Minister
of Veterans’
Affairs
Judith Collins
Maori Battalion
reunited in Wanganui
More than 60 years after WWII soldiers from the Maori Battalion were
first welcomed home at Putiki Marae, Wanganui, the veterans were
embraced again at the same marae.
Twenty-eight veterans and more than 500 whanau and supporters
gathered for the 28 Maori Battalion annual reunion over the weekend of
20 February 2009.
As the Governor-General, Hon Anand Satyanand, told those in
attendance, the Maori Battalion has a proud history of service: to New
Zealand, to the Commonwealth and to the Crown.
“The Battalion’s gallantry includes almost one hundred honours. But its
roll of honour includes more than 600 deaths in action, active service or
as prisoners of war, and almost three times that number were wounded,”
said Mr Satyanand.
“Those who served and those who died, fought not just to defeat
an authoritarian regime that terrorised our world, but to defend the
democratic freedoms that we all hold dear.”
It was also a weekend tinged with sadness, following the recent passing
of two significant Battalion figures.
Jim Takarangi, a 28th Maori Battalion veteran, national president of
the Battalion, and a driving force behind much of the organising of the
reunion, had died just a few weeks earlier.
Veterans Affairs Minister Judith Collins expressed her condolences on
behalf of the New Zealand veteran community: “As a loyal soldier, a
tireless worker for the community, a talented sportsman and a loved
kaumatua, Mr Takarangi epitomised the spirit of the Maori Battalion,”
she said.
Then, only days before the reunion, the Battalion lost one of its oldest
members, another former Battalion Association President, Tamati
Maungarangi Paraone (Ngati Hine). He was part of the first wave of
Maori soldiers to enlist in 1939.
Images courtesy the Wanganui Chronicle.
20 | One Force
More than three thousand soldiers have served in the Maori Battalion,
but only four of the original ‘39ers’ are still alive.
You were a vocal advocate for veterans while in
Opposition, from where does your interest
in veterans’ issues stem?
My father was a veteran, and my interest in veterans’ affairs
also grew out of the plight of Vietnam veterans’ efforts to gain
recognition for the health effects of Agent Orange. To me, this
seemed like a terrible injustice, and one that I could use my
position as an MP to help put right. During the battle for an
inquiry and the establishment of a joint working group, I met
many veterans who inspired me with their courage, their humility
and their dignity. I see it as an honour to be able to oversee the
provision of services to the men and women who have served NZ
and to help keep the memory of the service of veterans, past and
present, alive.
Having been Minister for a few months now, what do
you see as the biggest challenge in your portfolio?
The biggest challenge will be to ensure that the government is
responsive to the changing needs of veterans. It will be more
important than ever that veterans can express their concerns
directly to the government and be heard. Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand (VANZ) was recently
made an operational unit of the New Zealand
Defence Force. What implications does this have for
you as Minister?
Despite being an operational unit of the NZDF, VANZ still enjoys
substantial operational autonomy in providing services to
veterans. The NZDF has an obligation to consider its members’
potential needs as veterans. This is important both for veterans
and for the retention of service personnel. Talking with veterans, you sometime sense that they
feel disappointed that VANZ has not been ‘their’
advocate within government (say in the way Te Puni
Kokiri or Women’s Affairs have represented Maori or
Women) – do you agree?
Yes, it was clear that veterans didn’t have full confidence in VANZ
as a stand-alone entity and this was reflected in the memorandum
of understanding between the Joint Working Group, the RNZRSA
and EVSA. I believe that making VANZ an operational unit of the
NZDF, with its greater access to support and expertise, will address
many of the areas of concern. The process will take some time to
happen, but the government is committed to ensuring the wishes
of veterans as expressed in the memorandum are upheld. VANZ
is making progress in some important areas, such as the move
towards total case management. Ensuring veterans are better
informed and better able to access services are, I believe, key
functions of VANZ.
The Law Commission is proposing a new Act to ensure
veterans are guaranteed entitlements. What is your
view of this initiative?
Any veteran that is entitled to a pension and wishes to have a
pension, should receive one. However, eligibility as determined
through the War Pensions Act is complex and can be confusing,
There is currently no accurate database of veterans. The National
Party policy in 2008 included, among other things, a commitment
to have a war/military service question as part of the next Census
so we can gather the necessary information as to the number of
veterans there are. I’m supportive of the objectives of the Law
Commission’s review of the War Pensions legislation, and recently
met with the commission to help move the legislation forward.
There’s been a noticeable improvement in the
relationship between the RNZRSA, VANZ, the NZDF
and the Government in the past 12 months. Are these
relationships important to you as Minister?
These relationships are extremely important, and I can only hope
they get stronger. These organisations provide a vital link between
government and the veterans’ community. They communicate
policy and entitlements, and provide valuable feedback to the
government on the needs of veterans and what it can do better.
At the end of your electoral term, how will you
measure your success as Minister of Veterans’ Affairs?
Success in this portfolio is a veterans’
community whose contribution to peace,
security and democracy is recognised and
honoured, and where those who served New
Zealand have the services and support they
need to live in dignity and good health.
One Force | 21
Recent Publications
Service from the Sea/ Nga Mahi No Te Moana
by Kelly Ana Morey
Penguin NZ
A hushed courtroom watches as a
handsome Navy lawyer winds up
the belligerent Colonel Jessup. “I
want the truth,” he thunders. “You
can’t handle the truth,” comes the
infamous response.
Changes to Military
Justice System
Okay, so real military trials may not contain the same drama
as those in the film A Few Good Men but from 1 July 2009, a
permanent independent Court-Martial will be established to
replace the temporary Courts-Martial run by military commanders.
And that’s just one of the changes coming into effect for the New
Zealand military justice system.
All members of New Zealand’s regular forces and officers of the
reserve and territorial forces are subject to the military justice
system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Ratings, soldiers and
the airmen and women of the reserve and territorial forces are
subject to the system when they need to be, for example, when
they’re on duty.
In the civilian world, we wouldn’t expect to be fined or given
extra work if we were late to the office, but that’s exactly
what can happen under the military justice system with laws
covering offences such as absence without leave (AWOL),
drunkenness, disobedience, failure to comply with written orders,
insubordination and negligence, as well as more serious offences
under military and civilian law.
The system is in place to ensure good order and discipline but as
expectations of justice have changed and human rights legislation
has been enacted, defence forces around the world have had to
update and modernise their military justice systems.
Commander Chris Griggs was the architect of modernising the
New Zealand system and explains that the system creates a fairer,
more consistent process across all three Services in New Zealand.
“Under the current system a young Army or Air Force recruit can
22 | One Force
be tried by a superior officer with no-one to speak up for him or
her and no right of appeal to a higher court,” says Commander
Griggs. “Under the new system all Service members charged
with an offence will be represented by defending officers, if
they want to be, and they’ll also have the right to appeal to the
Summary Appeal Court of New Zealand, which will consist of
an independent civilian Judge who can, for example, overturn
findings or reduce the punishment.”
Officers at all ranks below Rear Admiral, Major General and Air
Vice Marshal can also now be tried locally at their base or camp
by their Commander. This will save time and money as the formal
trial by Court-Martial will now only be used for the more serious
offences.
The changes had to be enacted by Parliament and the
comprehensive consultation conducted with staff across the three
Services, as well as with the Ministry of Justice, the Crown Law
Office, the New Zealand Law Society and military law experts
across the world meant that the legislation was passed with the
unanimous support of all political parties in the House.
“Our society has changed and members of the Armed Forces
today expect to be able to exercise their rights,” says Commander
Griggs. “I think that the current system has served the cause of
justice and discipline in New Zealand’s armed forces well over the
past quarter of a century. However, there is general recognition
both inside and outside the Defence Force that the new system
gives every officer, sailor, soldier, airman and airwoman a fairer go.”
Beautifully illustrated with images of ships, weapons, navy personnel, and memorabilia, Service from
the Sea is a comprehensive history of the Navy in New Zealand, starting with Captain James Cook’s
arrival in1769 and ending with the configuration of our present day Royal New Zealand Navy. Service
from the Sea captures the diverse nature of Naval service in New Zealand - from patrolling our EEZ
to contributing to security in far away oceans; from search and rescue efforts to ceremonial duties;
from exercises with Allied navies to survey and research work. Kelly Ana Morey also details the Navy
involvement in the two World Wars, and discusses the HMNZS Canterbury as one of the two ships
sent to Mururoa Atoll in 1973 to protest French nuclear testing. The book is published by Penguin Group
(NZ), with support from the Royal New Zealand Navy and the Navy Museum. The launch of Service from
the Sea took place on board the ship HMNZS Canterbury, when she was alongside at Devonport.
Kelly Ana Morey has worked at the Navy Museum as an oral historian since 2002. She is also the author of How to
Read a Book and several fictional work, including On an Island, with Consequences Dire. She has been
awarded a Montana first novel prize and the Janet Frame award for fiction.
The Devil’s Own War
by John Crawford (Ed)
Exisle Publishing
Edited by Defence Force historian John Crawford, The Devil’s Own War contains the diary of BrigadierGeneral Herbert Hart. The book includes fascinating descriptions of both combat and life behind the
front lines during World War I. Brigadier-General Herbert Hart left New Zealand in 1914 as a Major in
the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and returned in 1919 as a much decorated Brigadier General. Hart
commanded the Wellington Battalion during the closing stages of the Gallipoli campaign, and then
served as a battalion and brigade commander on the Western Front between 1916 and 1918.
John Crawford is the New Zealand Defence Force’s fourth official historian, a position he has held for more than
20 years. John became interested in Hart more than ten years ago after writing a biographical entry of him for the
Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. When asked how he approaches his writing John says, “humbly - I treat
my sources with sensitivity and like a detective I weigh up all the available evidence before coming to any conclusions.”
Hobsonville: Portrait of a Seaplane Station
By Bee Dawson
Random House
Hobsonville: Portrait of a Seaplane Station is a meticulously researched history of New Zealand’s only
seaplane station by social and oral historian Bee Dawson. Situated on the upper Waitemata harbour
and purchased by the government in 1925, the RNZAF station at Hobsonville opened in 1928. It was
the only station to have been built primarily for seaplanes. A defining characteristic for the air men
and women and their spouses stationed at Hobsonville seems to have been its isolation, being nine
miles from Auckland by boat and 25 miles by road. With a strong focus on the people that lived and
worked there, Dawson’s book covers mess and barrack life, recreation, and the lifelong friendships
forged through “a strong cooperative spirit - everyone minding everyone else’s offspring”. Much of the
material for the book was derived from interviews with both military and civilian men and women who
spent time at Hobsonville.
Bee Dawson is a social and oral historian employed by the Royal New Zealand Air Force. She has written three books
on the RNZAF and is currently writing a history of gardening and a history of Wigram Air Base.
One Force | 23
Learning Life Skills @
The LSV Company
The Trainees
The Staff
A “shock to the system” is how many trainees describe their first week at the Limited
Service Volunteer (LSV) Company. Five intakes of 150 young people arrive at Burnham
Army camp each year for a six week course of military training which keeps them
challenged all day, every day. Based on the classic Army model, each intake is divided
into three groups or “Platoons”.
Major Cate Linton
Trainees dress in army fatigues and are subject to military law while there. Waking
at 5.30am they are kept busy until about 10pm with a variety of physical and mental
challenges. Behind all the activities is a desire to improve self esteem and confidence,
inspire motivation and self discipline, and encourage respect for oneself and others.
Trainees often arrive at the camp unmotivated and unfocused. They may have been
in trouble with the law, have problems with drugs and alcohol, been in abusive
relationships or simply have issues with focus and decision-making. No two days are the same for trainees at the LSV Company, and the programme varies
between classroom-based learning and outdoor physical activities such as a 50 km tramp,
river crossings, rafting and marching. The LSV instructors work hard to maintain a positive
environment and guest speakers come in to give advice on things like tenancy rights,
dress and grooming, budgeting, employment, and drug abuse.
Four trainees from the first intake of LSV for 2009 shared their impressions after four
weeks on the course:
trainee Gibbs says he was beginning to go off the rails at home in Tauranga, when
he was given the opportunity to come to the LSV Company. His Section Commander
said he had been impressed with Devin’s progress and his commitment to change.
Having had a taste of military routines at the LSV, Devin thinks he would thrive in
a full time military role and hopes to apply to the Navy: “I’ve learned a lot about
myself since coming to the LSV; that I can show leadership; that I’m physically fitter
than I realised; that I can control my anger and that I can give people confidence.”
(Devin Gibbs, 19, Tauranga)
trainee Cooper came to the LSV Company because she wanted a fresh start.
She said both the LSV staff and her Platoon peers were very supportive and was
surprised how well everyone got along. She misses the everyday freedoms but likes
having boundaries and being away from bad influences. “My thinking has changed
and my attitude has changed. I realise it’s not all about me in this world, and that I
like working in a team. I never thought I’d ever say that!” (Shannon ‘Shaz’ Cooper, 20,
Titahi Bay)
trainee Hoare says his time at the LSV Company has improved his communication
skills “I wasn’t good at listening before. Now I’m a better listener.” (Ainsely Hoare, 18,
Kapiti)
trainee Veatapu says she came to the LSV because she didn’t know what she wanted
to do with her life and also felt she had problems with anger management. Mele was
enjoying the challenge of getting along with new people and trying new things. “The
LSV is pretty onto it. It’s full on, but fair.” (Mele Veatapu, 18, Glenn Innes)
24 | One Force
The Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) scheme is a combined Ministry of
Social Development and New Zealand Defence Force initiative hosted
at Burnham Army Camp. The Ministry of Social Development provides
the operating costs, while the NZDF delivers expertise and the training
personnel. About 700 trainees attend the six week courses each year.
To be eligible for admission to the programme a trainee should be aged
between 18-25 and be registered with Work and Income New Zealand
(WINZ). The mission of the LSV is “to increase numbers of young New
Zealanders entering employment or further training”. One Force met
some of the trainees and staff of the first LSV intake of 2009.
Officer Commanding of the LSV Company, Major Cate Linton says the
programme has about a 75% “success” rate, in terms of trainees securing full
time employment within two months of leaving the camp. The course is in three
phases – an induction period focuses on goal setting, the second phase focuses
on working as a team in outdoor environments, while the final part focuses
on preparing for working life, where things like budgeting, tenancy rights and
grooming are addressed. Major Linton says an organisation (Academy New
Zealand) now provides support for the trainees when they leave, in terms of
employment: “LSV staff deal with the here and now. MSD and Academy
New Zealand follow up in the future”. Staffed by 25% Navy, 50% Army
and 25% Air Force personnel, the LSV gives trainees a balanced perspective
of military life, and provides good career opportunities for instructors from
each of the Services too.
Leading Combat Systems Specialist, TeHuki McDonald
Navy man Leading Combat Systems Specialist TeHuki McDonald describes
being an instructor at the LSV as both challenging and rewarding: “Trainees
come from different backgrounds and often arrive at the camp with issues
including drugs, alcohol, and gang affiliations. There’s an element of
counselling in my job.” Although he is not trying to be a recruiter, LCSS
McDonald enjoys telling the trainees about the Navy “I highlight the
perks of being in the Navy – the travel, the free medical treatment, cheap
housing, mates for life, and sporting activities.” LCSS McDonald says he
sees a huge change in the trainees at the end of six weeks in a positive
environment: “When they march out on the last day, they’re completely different
people from when they arrived on the first day.”
Corporal Shamus Macdonald
Royal New Zealand Air Force Corporal Shamus Macdonald has been an instructor
at the LSV Company for 12 of his 18 month contract. Corporal Macdonald says
the posting has been great for his career development: “The LSV is the best place
I could go to get a command perspective. We don’t get the hands-on
telling-people-what-to-do stuff in the Air Force – this place is really good
for learning management!”
Corporal David Natta
Corporal David Natta joined the NZ Army’s Territorial Force in 1986 and is
now on a Regular Force contract with the NZ Army. He says he’s suited to
being an LSV instructor as he’s had experience in both the “civvie and the
military worlds” and at “twice the age of most of the trainees, he’s “old
enough to be their father”. He also notes the changes in the trainees at
the conclusion of the course: “I love the rewards of seeing them march
out at the end of the course; confident and ready to face the world. Then
I know I’ve done my job.”
One Force | 25
Careers
Corporal Timothy Spencer
Aircraft technician
LieuTenant Scott McGregor
marine engineer
Lieutenant Scott McGregor’s fascination with mechanics began at
an early age. “As a kid I loved playing with Lego and seeing how
things worked together. From a mechanical engineering side, I looked
around and saw that all things that work in life were an extension of
that.”
Scott had intended to turn his love of mechanics into a career via the
University route – but wasn’t sure how he would manage financially. “The economic obligations of study concerned me, and when I was
approached by a Navy recruiting officer who told me a bit about what
the Navy did, and how they foster leaders, it got me really interested.
I’d been a House Captain at school, and captain of the rugby team, so
I already had leadership qualities. I thought, ‘Why not?’
“My first year in the Navy I did basic training, and then a sea
acquaint. I always felt supported and knew I could go to my
instructors if I needed a hand. I also knew it was their job to stop us
thinking only of ourselves and build us into a team.”
After basic training Scott did a four-year mechanical engineering
degree at Auckland University, then a two-year stint on ship. “I’m
now qualified to take a frigate to sea as the marine engineering
officer on board. This means I could run a 34-man department, who
would report to me, as I would be reporting to the captain.
The duties of a marine engineering officer are varied, ranging from
maintaining a ship’s systems and equipment to overseeing the
training and management of junior staff. “Each year on the ship we
do a six-month deployment overseas. We’ve got our own rugby team
and we try to play against local teams wherever we go. I’ve met a lot
of people from a lot of different countries now. It’s one of the best
things about the job – you make a lot of friends.”
0800 GO NAVY (0800 696 289)
26 | One Force
Private Michael Maher
Supply Technician
Private Michael Maher, 20, is a Supply Technician with 21 Supply
Company, Royal New Zealand Logistic Regiment, and he works in
the Bulk Stores Section. He joined the Army in January 2008 and
completed his Basic Training (13 weeks) at Waiouru three months
later.
Michael says the Army was an appealing career choice for him as he
wanted to be challenged and do something out of the ordinary. As a
Supply Technician his main responsibility is to ensure there’s enough
equipment and supplies to successfully complete any task, but there’s
been plenty of variety and opportunities for learning, and his first
year in the Army has been busy and interesting.
“I’ve been on several courses - including Logistics Corps Training,
Ammunition Handlers, and a Junior Supply Course. I’ve also gained
my full Class 2, Dangerous Goods and Forklift licences. Having these
licences has meant I have been able to drive Army vehicles on a
number of training exercises around the North Island. My goals for
the near future are to complete the Intermediate Supply Course and I
am hoping to be deployed overseas too.”
Michael is a keen rugby player and played in the 2nd Logistic
Battalion Inter-Company rugby tournament last year. In his spare
time he likes to make use of the free facilities at the Army camp
such as the gym, swimming pool, and camp golf course. He says he
has thoroughly enjoyed his time at 21 Supply Company and would
recommend the Supply Technician trade to anybody joining the Army.
0800 NZ ARMY (0800 69 2769)
Corporal Timothy Spencer joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force
in April 2000, and was posted to Base Ohakea as a mechanic
after finishing his recruit course and junior trade training (Basic
Engineering and Mechanics course). At Ohakea he was given onthe-job training for two years before going on a senior course in
Woodbourne.
He was then posted to the Rotary Bay at Ohakea. “Straight away
I was part of a tight-knit team who all had a work-hard play-hard
attitude, were keen for a laugh (and a few pranks) but who always
showed professionalism.”
In 2006 Tim was promoted to the rank of Corporal and posted back
to 3 Squadron.
Tim says he has enjoyed the travel opportunities that present
themselves through the Air Force: “The past three years have been
the most exciting of my career. Soon after my arrival as a Corporal, I
travelled to Texas for an engine analysis course; a brilliant trip where
we met some larger than life Americans. 3 Squadron has taken me
all over New Zealand, to Australia twice, to New Caledonia and to
Singapore”
He says his three month deployment to Timor-Leste was the
highlight of 2007: “Together with an awesome bunch of comrades
(aircrew, ground crew and support crew) we achieved our tasking
and maintenance commitments, met some wonderful people and
managed to have a whole lot of fun along the way” He counts
among his 2008 highlights performing at the inaugural RNZAF Battle
of the Bands.
OPERATION
anzac spirit
To raise awareness of Anzac Day,
the NZDF has launched OP ANZAC
SPIRIT, a design competition for
Year 7 to 8 students.
New Zealand and Australia have a long history of working
alongside one another that goes back to the first ANZACs in
the First World War. Today the defence forces of New Zealand
and Australia continue to work together on operations and
exercises around the world.
Information about where NZDF is working overseas can be
found on the website www.nzdf.mil.nz.
How to enter
Design a poster showing what Anzac Day means to
you. This can be in the medium of your choice (drawing,
painting, collage etc) but please no items larger than A3
size. Entries close 25 April.
Winners will be announced on 5 May.
Where to send your entry:
OP ANZAC SPIRIT
Defence Communications Group
Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force,
Private Bag 39997,
Wellington.
Don’t forget to put your name, age, address, phone
number, email address, and the name of your school on
the back of your entry.
The important part – the prizes
There are three prizes up for grabs:
1. A day with the Navy, plus a copy of The Reluctant Hero
signed by Corporal Willie Apiata VC.
2. A day with the Army, plus a copy of The Reluctant Hero
signed by Corporal Willie Apiata VC
3. A day with the Air Force, plus a copy of The Reluctant Hero
signed by Corporal Willie Apiata VC
0800 Air Force (0800 247 367)
Four runners up will be awarded a prize pack of NZDF
products.
Entry criteria and further information about
Operation Anzac Spirit and Anzac Day is available at
www.nzdf.mil.nz
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