Funding plan established for New Zealand military to 2030

The New Zealand government has agreed a long-term funding approach for the country's military until 2030 after three years of savings, Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman said Wednesday. "The government inherited a substantial long term funding gap in defence, and the 2010 Defence White Paper signalled that new money would be required over time to maintain and improve NZDF ( New Zealand Defence Force) capabilities," Coleman said in a published speech to the Defence Industry Association annual forum in Wellington. "It is important New Zealand plays our part in international security. The government is committed to having a future defense force which is capable, sustainable, deployable and affordable." The NZDF had focused on moving resources from non-deployable to deployable areas, resulting in 193 million NZ dollars (158.84 million U.S. dollars) reinvested into frontline capabilities. A government-commissioned review had developed a new long-term funding plan and the details of the funding would be announced in the Budget in May next year. "This funding approach allows the NZDF to plan strategically for its long term future, and it will ensure the NZDF can maintain and improve its current mix of capabilities," said Coleman. "It will enable the NZDF to meet the government's expectations set out in the 2010 Defence White Paper to protect and advance New Zealand's interests at home, in the South Pacific and globally."