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Defence

Associated Ministers

17 May, 2013

Military outputs increased in Budget

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman says the New Zealand Defence Force is improving its military capability in this year’s budget as it realises the benefits from the annual savings it has achieved.

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15 May, 2013

New trucks for Defence Force

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman today announced the purchase of 200 new trucks for the New Zealand Defence Force.

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10 May, 2013

New Zealand to continue supporting anti-piracy patrols

Defence Minister, Dr Jonathan Coleman, says the New Zealand Defence Force will conduct a series of deployments to assist the international anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman.

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5 May, 2013

Goff breached Coroner ruling

Labour MP, Phil Goff, has breached a Coroner's suppression order relating to the non-combat death of a soldier in Afghanistan says Defence Minister, Dr Jonathan Coleman.

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2 May, 2013

New Visiting Forces Agreement signed with the Kingdom of Tonga

The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga, Lord Tu’ivakano, and Defence Minister, Dr Jonathan Coleman, have signed a treaty-level agreement that will build the relationship between the Tonga Defence Service (TDS) and the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).

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30 April, 2013

Defence talks in Auckland and Tonga

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman is meeting his Trans-Tasman counterpart, Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith in Auckland this evening.

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25 April, 2013

New Zealand Service - Chunuk Bair Memorial - Gallipoli

Today, Anzac Day, marks the anniversary of the first New Zealand and Australian landings on the Gallipoli peninsula on the 25th of April 1915.

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25 April, 2013

Dawn service - Anzac Commemorative Site - Gallipoli

There is no more poignant and evocative place for any New Zealander to be present than at dawn on Anzac day, on the Gallipoli peninsula.

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23 April, 2013

Defence Force morale on the rise

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman says the latest Defence Force attitude survey shows morale is continuing to improve.

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19 April, 2013

Seasprite helicopter project approved

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman says the government has approved the purchase of an upgraded and expanded Seasprite helicopter fleet for the New Zealand Defence Force.

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19 April, 2013

Goff wrong on helicopter facts

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman says he welcomes the Labour Party’s acknowledgement today the Seasprite helicopter replaces a vital capability to the Defence Force.

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11 April, 2013

Provincial Reconstruction Team departs Kiwi Base

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman says the Provincial Reconstruction Team has now completely departed from Kiwi Base in Bamyan, marking of the end of 10 years of service in the Afghanistan province.

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9 April, 2013

Minister commends NZ Defence Force role

As the multi-agency search and salvage operation off the Kawhia coast draws to a close the Minister of Defence Dr Jonathan Coleman has commended the efforts of the NZ Defence Force, in particular the Royal New Zealand Navy.

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5 April, 2013

Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Flag Lowering Speech

I want to acknowledge the service men and women of the NZDF who are here today as well as the thousands who have served here before you.

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4 April, 2013

Bamyan Memorial Speech

Your Excellency the Governor General of New Zealand and Lady Janine Mataparae, Governor Sarabi, Lt General Rhys Jones, Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Helene Quilter, and Police Commissioner Peter Marshall.

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22 March, 2013

Talks with Viet Nam’s Defence Minister

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman has held a bilateral meeting in Auckland today with Viet Nam’s Minister of National Defence.

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20 March, 2013

Speech to Defence Industry Association conference

It’s a pleasure to be addressing the New Zealand Defence Industry Association again.

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17 March, 2013

Defence Minister says Inquiry likely to outline painful lessons

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman says the death of Private Michael Ross is a tragedy that must never be allowed to occur again.

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14 March, 2013

Auckland-Northland Employer of Reservist of the Year Award

Thank you to the co-hosts of this event: Dr Geoff Perry, Dean of the Business and Law Faculty School and David McGregor of the Auckland and Northland Territorial Forces Employer Council.

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26 February, 2013

New Zealand Defence force capability in an era of tightening budgets

I wish to talk about how New Zealand is managing the effect on its defence force of the most challenging economic conditions seen in generations.

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22 February, 2013

Statement: NATO-ISAF Defence Ministers' Meeting

This morning I am pleased to be able to confirm New Zealand’s continuing support for Afghanistan and the International Security Assistance Force.

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20 February, 2013

New Chief of Army appointed

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman says the new Chief of Army will be Major General Dave Gawn.

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18 February, 2013

Defence Minister to attend NATO-ISAF summit

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman is attending the NATO-ISAF summit in Brussels this week to outline New Zealand’s on going commitments in Afghanistan.

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18 February, 2013

NZ continues commitment to Afghanistan

Cabinet today agreed on New Zealand’s contribution to Afghanistan beyond the April withdrawal of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) from Bamyan province, in line with the joint ISAF/Afghan transition plan.

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16 February, 2013

Defence Minister rejects claims that troops not well trained

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman is rejecting claims the NZDF Crib 20 rotation to Bamyan in Afghanistan, which suffered the loss of five lives, was inadequately trained.

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21 December, 2012

Successful Southern Ocean patrol

The Royal New Zealand Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessel HMNZS OTAGO has successfully completed its first patrol of the season in the Southern Ocean - one of the world’s most challenging environments.

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21 December, 2012

More supplies flown to Samoa, Fiji

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman say an RNZAF C-130 Hercules has landed in cyclone-ravaged Samoa with additional relief supplies.

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14 December, 2012

Reviews on ANZAC Day Iroquois helicopter crash released

State Services and Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman has welcomed the release of two reviews in relation to the 2010 ANZAC Day helicopter crash.

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12 December, 2012

Afghan interpreters offered resettlement

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman and Immigration Minister Nathan Guy have announced a widened assistance package for local staff who have been closely involved with the NZ Defence Force and NZ Police in Bamyan, Afghanistan.

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11 December, 2012

Upgrade fr NZDF Frigateso

Tenders will be sought to upgrade the self-defence and sensor capabilities of the Royal New Zealand navy frigates HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Te Mana, Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman announced today.

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