Routledge Handbook of Democracy and Security by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781317628019
Goodreads: 54887323
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2016-09-11T00:00:00+00:00

New Zealand’s national security coordination

New Zealand’s geographic isolation and volatile natural environment shape the country’s national security lens. Geographic isolation is a boon in that it removes the likelihood of an existential military threat to New Zealand’s sovereignty. But isolation is a double-edged sword since New Zealand relies on expansive physical and electromagnetic lines of communication that enable the state to interact both politically and economically within the global community. New Zealand’s national security discourse is centered on preservation of these lines of communication and maintenance of a rules-based international order based on democratic institutions. These foci are not surprising given New Zealand’s position as a small, liberal democratic state reliant on soft power to influence other actors in pursuit of its national interests. Accordingly, New Zealand’s national security machinery is geared towards protecting its physical and cyber lines of communication and the natural resources that are the foundation of its economy.

The themes presented in Australia’s 2008 national security statement are echoed in New Zealand’s National Security System (NSS) document, produced in 2011 by the New Zealand Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC). The 2011 document identifies itself as the first comprehensive presentation of New Zealand’s national security interests. It emphasizes a whole-of-government approach to national security operations, and establishes the position of National Security Advisor. The National Security System identifies the broadening of New Zealand’s concept of national security from an essentially defensive, police and intelligence agency orientation to an approach that encompasses all hazards to New Zealand’s people, resources and sovereignty.33 The definition of national security currently presented in the New Zealand’s national security system is expansive. It demonstrates intent by the New Zealand government to respond to the evolving nature and greater complexity of the global security environment. This definition requires New Zealand’s national security system to encompass all significant risks and hazards, both natural and man-made, to the nation’s population and environment.34 Yet the New Zealand’s National Security System document is not a national security strategy; and, although it identifies desired ends by stating its national security objectives, it fails to articulate the ways and means necessary to achieve them.

In August 2016, the DPMC released the National Security System Handbook (NSS Handbook), which describes “New Zealand’s arrangements with respect to both … the governance of national security and in response to a potential, emerging or actual national security crisis.”35 The NSS Handbook provided an update of New Zealand’s national security architecture and formalized changes to operational structures made in response to the NSS of 2011. The Handbook’s intended audience is public service members, ranging from chief executives to officials, public service members likely to be involved in national security system operations. But it also offers critical insight into security discourse and governance. The NSS Handbook provides detailed descriptions of the governance structures that oversee the operation of the NSS, including the composition and roles of key advisory boards and (as mentioned above) the expectations of contributing agencies in response to potential, emerging or actual events.

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