Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Independent Review: HMNZS Canterbury will deliver


MoD and NZDF Media Release

12 September 2008

Independent Review: HMNZS Canterbury will deliver for Navy

An independent review into the acquisition and introduction into service of HMNZS Canterbury has concluded that the ship will be a valuable asset for our Navy.

Earlier this year the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) commissioned a Review from John Coles, formerly Chief Executive of the UK MoD’s Warship Support Agency.

His findings were released today. The Review has not identified any new design or performance issues beyond those already identified by Defence, and concludes that with remedial action HMNZS Canterbury will “be able to discharge all her operational roles as required in the Functional and Performance Specification (FPS)”.


The Review also found HMNZS Canterbury to be an “intrinsically safe” ship, and confirmed that there was no connection between design and performance issues and the tragic death last year of sailor Byron Solomon.

Responding to the Review, the Secretary of Defence John McKinnon and Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Mateparae, said an improvement programme for HMNZS Canterbury had begun, with some of the remedial work having already been completed.

“The gap between where the HMNZS Canterbury is currently at, and where it needs to be in terms of performance can be closed and we look forward to prompt action by the contractor in addressing outstanding issues” says Chief of Defence Force Mateparae.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

The Review also identified a number of lessons that MoD and NZDF need to take on board when managing large acquisition projects.

“We believe the Review’s assessment that this project could have been managed far better, is a fair assessment,” says Secretary of Defence McKinnon. “The key finding in this respect, is that the size, mix of skills, and level of resourcing of the Project Team has been shown to be inadequate.”

The two Defence chief executives said the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) are committed to implementing all of the remedial actions identified.

The Defence sector leaders say projects of the size and complexity of the HMNZS Canterbury acquisition do not come along frequently for the Defence sector, so MoD and NZDF are determined the important lessons gained from this project are implemented to inform future acquisition projects.

“We must and will do better in the future,” says Secretary of Defence McKinnon. “It is important that the recommendations of the Coles’ Review are implemented and we have committed to doing that.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.