Introduction
The Government of New Zealand recently released a refreshed Defense Capability Plan designed to deliver a more integrated defense force and a series of new defense capabilities to the nation’s armed forces. For a geographically isolated country with a population of just four and a half million, New Zealand’s defense planning presents challenges. While the new plan does not set any new policy directions, it enumerates the capabilities required to help meet the nation’s existing and future territorial, regional, humanitarian, economic, security, internationally cooperative, and foreign policy goals.
Covering more than four million square kilometres, New Zealand has one of the world’s largest Exclusive Economic Zones. Its size puts a premium on the maritime surveillance of rich fishing grounds located to the north of the country and stretching all the way south to Antarctica, where New Zealand has a permanent scientific base. The island nation’s search and rescue region, which covers some thirty million square kilometers, is also one of the world’s largest. As a nation overwhelmingly reliant on trade for its economic well-being, New Zealand has an active interest in secure sea lanes. The most critical of these connect the country to major markets in Asia, primarily, as well as the Middle East. By better securing this economic access, the new Defense Capability Plan will help ensure New Zealand’s economic future.
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