Security

Peace Support Operations

International and regional peacekeeping operations are an important part of the modern security landscape. Conflict, post-conflict and fragile states that require international assistance are increasing. Peace support operations (PSOs) led or endorsed by the United Nations have expanded in response. New Zealand’s contributions to PSOs are one of New Zealand’s most tangible commitments to collective security and the rule of law. New Zealand is a strong supporter of United Nations’ and regional peacekeeping and peace support efforts, playing a key role in the Pacific and elsewhere in the world. New Zealand also contributes to integrated state-building operations in Solomon Islands, Timor Leste and Afghanistan.

Before engaging in a PSO, New Zealand considers:

• strategic implications of the operation, including its effect on security, the humanitarian situation and New Zealand’s relationships with other countries;
• the nature of the mission - the legality of the proposed mission and mandate under international law;
• repercussions for New Zealand agencies involved in the proposed PSO; and
• whether New Zealand can assist the fragile or post-conflict state in other ways.

Summary of New Zealand's Contributions to Peace Support Operations

New Zealand is involved, with nearly 400 NZDF and 75 NZ Police currently deployed, in PSOs in thirteen countries, three of which - Afghanistan, Timor-Leste and Solomon Islands - are complex operations with both civilian and military components. New Zealand also has significant humanitarian and development programmes in these three countries.

* There are also five civilians attached to RAMSI to assist capacity building and reconciliation in the Solomon Islands. These include two secondees from IRD, one from Treasury and two New Zealand High Court Judges.

* UNCMAC the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC) in Korea is officially under US Command, not the UN).

Region	Location	NZDF Contribution Multilateral Regional Bilateral		NZ Police Contribution	NZAID contribution 2008/09 (NZ$ million)
Pacific	Solomon Islands	RAMSI*	42	38	43.1
	Bougainville			7	2.4
	Tonga			2 (+ up to 6 short-term technical advisors)	2.2
Asia	Timor Leste	UNMIT	1	25 (UNPOL)	12.2
		Australia-led ISF	146
		Bilateral	5
	Korea	UNCMAC*	3
Middle East	Afghanistan*	UNAMA	1	3 (EUPOL)	7
		ISAF	12
		Bamyan PRT NZSAS	122 71
		TrainingTeam/ Nil Medical	2
	Sinai (Egypt)	MFO	26		0.2 to UNDP Mine Action
	Israel, Lebanon and Syria	UNTSO	8
	Iraq	UNAMI	1		2
Africa	Sudan	UNMIS	3		1.4
		TOTAL	443	75 (not including 6 short-term technical advisors in Tonga)	70.5 million

Acronyms

RAMSI	Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands
UNMIT	UN Integrated Mission in Timor Leste
ISF	International Stabilisation Force
UNCMAC	UN Command Military Armistice Commission
UNAMA	UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
ISAF	International Security Assistance Force
PRT	Provincial Reconstruction Team
MFO	Multinational Force and Observers
UNTSO	UN Truce Supervision Organization
UNAMI	UN Assistance Mission in Iraq
UNMIS	UN Mission in Sudan

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