New Zealand’s National Security System provides for a coordinated government response.
In it:
- risks are identified and managed;
- the response is timely and appropriate;
- national resources are applied effectively;
- adverse outcomes are minimised;
- multiple objectives are dealt with together;
- agencies’ activities are coordinated.
Managing national security risk and supporting the country’s resilience is complex and involves a wide range of government agencies.
New Zealand’s recent history is filled with examples of complex national security events that required all-of-government responses. Examples include Covid-19, Whakaari/White Island eruption, Christchurch mosque terror attack, Kaikoura and Canterbury earthquakes, the disruption to the Auckland fuel supply, the blackmail threat to poison infant formula and the Rena grounding.
New Zealand’s National Security System provides a mechanism for dealing with major crises or other situations requiring an all-of-government response.
Across New Zealand more generally, the system is able to facilitate the coordination of all sectoral, regional, and government capabilities where national planning or a national response is required. This approach helps to ensure that risks receive appropriate attention, the right capabilities are developed, and lessons are identified and learned from.
Local government, non-government agencies and the private sector also have increasingly important roles within national security. Effective high-level coordination of effort, particularly of our strategic direction and communication activity, is very important.