Territorial Force personnel from Hauraki's Waikato squadron storm Waiouru during Exercise Northern Kiwi earlier this year.
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New Zealand Defence Force

Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa

Media Advisory

Monday 29 August, 2005

Defence Welcomes Announcement of Territorial Force Council Chair

The New Zealand Defence Force welcomed the announcement of the first Chairman of the Territorial Forces Employer Support Council made by Minister of Defence Mark Burton today.

The newly appointed Chairman is Mr John Allen, Chief Executive Officer of New Zealand Post.

"I look forward to working with Defence and the employer community to strengthen and support our Territorial Forces" said Mr Allen.

The Territorial Forces Employer Support Council (TFESC) will ask employers to favourably consider granting Military Leave for training and deployments, and will provide a forum for dialogue between the employer community and the NZDF. Employers who release employees for military training or operations gain employees with improved leadership abilities and other essential skills.

Brigadier Tim Brewer, Territorial officer, civilian employer and Director of the Defence Employer Support Programme (DESP), welcomed Mr Allen's appointment. "The TFESC is a great new initiative which will help us enormously. I thank the Minister for his unstinting support.

"The New Zealand Defence Force sees the relationship with the employer community as a flexible partnership and a win-win for both Defence and employers" said Brigadier Brewer. "Employers have a key part to play. Their support contributes directly to New Zealand's military capability".

ENDS

Background

The Volunteers Employment Protection Act (2004) created the Territorial Forces Employer Support Council (TFESC) by statute. It is a national organisation with representation to be appointed from across Government and the business community. The TFESC is sponsored by the Defence Employer Support Programme (DESP).

Territorial Reservists are part-time members of the Navy, Army and Air Force. Reservists normally require up to two weeks annual military leave, with other activities conducted in evenings and weekends. Personnel come from all walks of life, and make a vital contribution to their community.

Territorial Reservists have served with distinction in all major conflicts in the 20th century; their vital contribution continues with service on operations in Sierra Leone, the former Yugoslavia, Lebanon, Iraq, East Timor, Sinai and Afghanistan in the last twelve months.

Their assistance in Humanitarian and Civil Defence operations includes deployments to Aceh in January 2005, flood assistance in Tauranga and to Niue following recent Cyclone Heta. Within New Zealand they assist other Government agencies such as Customs, Immigration and the Police.

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