Constructing Security: the 2010 White Paper, New Zealand Defence Policy, and the trans-Tasman Relationship

Abstract

New Zealand's 2009 Defence Review led to the creation of a number of important policy documents, led by the 2010 Defence White Paper. Analysis of this and supporting documents through a Constructivist lens offers a valid contribution to the academic analysis of New Zealand's defence and security policies whilst identifying areas that lack detail and need further clarification. My analysis of the result of the Defence Review process offers an alternative view to the arguments of academics who argue that New Zealand is becoming an unarmed neutral state and those who attribute development of the current defence culture to parochial ideology and domestic vote winning. The Defence Review process has significant consequences that are examined further. The White Paper shows, when compared with the contemporary Defence White Paper of Australia, significant differences in strategic perception and outlook, but cooperation with Australia are still heavily emphasised. This suggests the need for a new framework for assessing the New Zealand-Australia relationship. New Zealand emphasises the importance and likely frequency of participation in 'ad hoc' military coalitions, but key details are lacking. This will be examined to develop greater understanding of coalition consent. Non-traditional security threats are strongly emphasised, but there is little explanation on how they would be managed. With reference to one possible security threat, cyber security, the potential options that New Zealand could and should take are examined, especially in comparison with the approach of Australia and other key nations. This thesis establishes, through review of literature, tools to apply constructivist analysis to New Zealand's defence and security policies. It then finds that New Zealand's defence and security policies will be driven by a confluence of external and internal factors to develop stronger and more formal defence and security relationships with Australia. Current capability sharing will be increased; New Zealand's forces will be shaped to be more specialised and complementary with Australia. Assuming no divisive events, an increase in formal and informal consultative cooperation will demand a convergence of guiding norms and operating procedures, which in turn will facilitate greater defence and security cooperation between the two nations.