New Zealand Defence Force

New Zealand Defence Force

Context

The mission for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is to secure New Zealand against external threat, to protect New Zealand's sovereign interests, including the Exclusive Economic Zone, and to be able to take action to meet likely contingencies in New Zealand's area of strategic interest.

NZDF includes the New Zealand Defence Force Corporate, Army, Navy and Airforce Services.

New Zealand Defence Force E-government Initiatives

• Online recruitment
• Consolidation and centralisation of IT systems
• JCCS, REACHBACK, JEMS, DMIS
• Electronic procurement
• Share secure WAN with MOD

Summary

Ready Access: NZDF provides ready access to information and services on its websites. Creating additional metadata records will improve access to NZDF information and services through the government portal.

Alignment: Current Internet initiatives will improve access to information within NZDF, and improve information sharing across the defence sector, both within New Zealand and abroad. Websites are being used effectively for online recruitment, and when appropriate, to aid public consultation.

Internet and Communications Technology

The Internet is being used to improve access to information, especially for internal staff, and to support the single Services (Army, Navy and Airforce). Websites are used effectively for recruitment. Operations management, such as the logistics required for equipment maintenance and deployment, is increasingly being achieved through Internet based technologies.

Each Service has a website that is predominantly used to provide information about careers and for recruitment. Website brand image, creative use of technology, and clear, relevant information are used to encourage people to join a Service. All Army applications are now channeled through the online application form. Eventually, online recruitment will be extended to the other Services.

Initiatives to provide better system integration within the defence sector are being developed, as identified in the review of Accountabilities and Structural Arrangements. The Internet is also increasingly being used to share information with defence agencies overseas.

NZDF's regular information sharing with overseas allies has required the development of data standards and policies. Elements of e-GIF have been incorporated where appropriate. Less structured overseas information sharing continues to rely on email.

Many of NZDF's internal initiatives involve centralising and consolidating information technology used by the Services and NZDF Corporate. Major initiatives include:

• Joint Command and Control System (JCCS) to improve information flows between front line personnel and central command
• Military Messaging System, which is a military grade messaging system to replace the existing signals infrastructure
• REACHBACK, a programme of work to implement more efficient communication services to deployed elements of NZDF
• Joint Engineering Management System (JEMS) to provide information on the engineering status of assets for deployment, and engineering management
• the Defence Medical Information System (DMIS) for recording individual's medical information and availability for deployment.

Other projects are to develop interoperability standards necessary for closer operational coordination with overseas defence forces; expansion of electronic procurement (currently $220 million per year); and sharing a Secure Wide Area Network with the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

A Document Management System is being considered to improve internal access to information. Access to information, rather than its storage, needs to be improved.

Ready Access to Information and Services

Metadata

Representation of NZDF services described on the government portal needs to be improved. NZDF has only two services listed, neither of which are prominent on the NZDF website. There are no documents to support NZDF's services, and no services listed for the Navy or Army.

Website Assessment

Websites assessed during June 2004 included:

www.nzdf.mil.nz
www.army.mil.nz
www.airforce.mil.nz
www.navy.mil.nz

Overall, the NZDF's websites are of an average standard.

The strengths of the sites are in accessibility and information delivery. In future, usability and required government content could be improved.

Key quality issues noted during the assessment included:

• Good range, depth and presentation of information and services content.
• Usability and site navigation could be improved for easier use.
• Required email addresses are not available or were not answered during the assessment.
• Missing website policies mean people are unsure about feedback and complaints.
• Missing accessibility features, such as navigation skipping and access keys may impede some physically impaired people's access.
• Some broken links prevent people from accessing certain content.
• Some documents are in PDF only, excluding people who are unable or unwilling to read this format.
• More links to other related content would be useful.
• Contact details could be more specific to enable responsive handling of enquiries.

Alignment With E-government Goals

Convenience and Satisfaction

NZDF uses websites to provide information to different audiences. The corporate website
(www.nzdf.mil.nz) provides general information including contact details, downloadable reports, and information about medals awarded to New Zealanders. Compared with other jurisdictions overseas, there is potential to provide more public information.

The Service websites have, in addition to career and recruitment services, information for general audiences. Some interactive aspects of these websites, such as the use of Java applets, do not comply with the Government Web Guidelines.

Integration and Efficiency

NZDF is consolidating and centralising information technology used by the Services, and is working with the MoD to share systems and software applications. Information security concerns, the need to develop internal systems, and resource constraints, mean that the sharing of systems will be a gradual process. For example, a shared Secure Wide Area Network between NZDF and MoD is one of the first projects being considered.

NZDF is involved in system interoperability projects with overseas defence agencies. System interoperability is especially important during times of deployment as New Zealand is often involved in joint deployments with other countries. During joint deployments, the countries involved must be able to share information efficiently using information systems.

Participation

The NZDF corporate website includes a consultation section to encourage submissions on projects that require public input.

Websites provide information about current projects, careers, Government policy, and newsletters so that people can be informed about NZDF activities.