NZDIA forum press release

Wellington - The New Zealand Defence Industry Association, with the support of the NZ Defence Force and the Ministry of Defence, will be holding a two-day international forum on October 21-22 at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington.

The theme of the forum “Driving New Zealand’s Economic Growth – Defence and Industry’s role” centres on a shared goal of building effective alliances across the region and takes advantage of the need for all parties to adapt to changes faced in equipping our Defence Force with capability and support services.

The forum also provides an opportunity for various players in the Industry and NZ Defence to get together to share information and ideas and make contact with potential buyers in customer defence forces.

Attendees will include overseas defence personnel from up to 18 countries, with presentations being made by representatives from Canada and the United Kingdom.

Keynote speeches will be given by Secretary of Defence Ms Helene Quilter and Lieutenant-General Tim Keating, Chief of Defence Force, who will provide comment from their perspectives on the industry study to be presented by Ms Alicia Wright, Deputy Secretary (Evaluation), Ministry of Defence.

Ms Wright’s address will focus on a study carried out by the Ministry of Defence on how Industry and Defence work together “optimising New Zealand Industry involvement in the NZ Defence Sector” and recommendations for change.

The MC for the two-day forum will be noted broadcaster and journalist Amanda Millar.

On the first day, the NZDIA/Defence Relationship Award will be presented to a Defence official, uniformed or civilian, who has made an outstanding contribution to improving Defence/Industry relationships. This is the second year this award has been presented.

The forum culminates with the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence to the Industry on the second day. These awards will recognise companies that have provided exceptional goods and/or services to the New Zealand Defence Force over the last two years.

We invite the media to send a representative to cover the event. Please inform us at least a day before the event if you are sending a reporter as all attending personnel must be registered before the forum to be allowed in.

The forum begins at 11am.

(The NZDIA is made up of 76 companies of NZ defence related industries and its aim is to provide maximum NZ input to NZDF activities and also provide the stimulus for growth in the national economy through generating export markets for goods and services.)

Website: www.nzdia.co.nz

ENDS

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