Ministry of Defence

The Ministry of Defence is the public service department of New Zealand responsible for advising the government on strategic defence policy, acquiring military equipment to meet defence capability and conducting audits and assessments of the New Zealand Defence Force. History The Defence Act, passed on 17 November 1964, established a new Ministry of Defence. Under the Act the three Service departments were combined into the new Ministry. The central core of the new Ministry of Defence was the central Defence Office. A Defence Council was established which consisted of: Minister of Defence Chief of Defence Staff Secretary of Defence Chiefs of Staff from the three Services Co-opted members if required (especially the Secretaries of External Affairs and Treasury) The Defence Council was responsible for: Administering and commanding the Services Advising the Minister on defence policy Integrating common functions where desirable and practical