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About

Defence Industry Association

  1. Official Name: New Zealand Defence Industry Association Incorporated

  1. Acronym / Also Known As: NZDIA

  1. Legal Status: Incorporated Society (non-profit industry association) under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908

  1. Year Established: 1993 (formally organised as an industry group in 1998; renamed NZDIA in 2002)

  1. Founding Context: Originated from the mid-1990s ANZAC Frigate Project to serve as a conduit between defence contractors and the New Zealand Government’s defence agencies. Initially called the “NZ Defence Technologies Action Group” in partnership with the NZ Trade Development Board (now NZ Trade & Enterprise), it was later reconstituted as NZDIA.

  1. Registered Address: PO Box 128261, Remuera, Auckland 1541, New Zealand

  1. New Zealand Business Number (NZBN): 9429042931300

  1. Company / Society Registration Number: 920840

  1. Website: www.nzdia.co.nz

  1. Contact Details: No public telephone number (contact via online form on website)

  1. Primary Sector / Industry: Defence and National Security Industry Advocacy – acts as the peak industry body for companies supplying military and security products/services in NZ

  1. Mission Statement: “To create a platform which can be used to establish and enhance Defence Industry supply capabilities… providing the opportunity to compete successfully for domestic and international defence contracts.” (NZDIA’s stated mission in its constitution)

  1. Activities:

  1. Membership Composition: Approximately 80–100 corporate members (as of mid-2010s). Members include a mix of New Zealand-owned businesses, NZ-registered subsidiaries of global arms manufacturers, and multinational defence corporations. Notable members: major foreign “prime” contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, Saab, Airbus, Babcock and Rolls-Royce; large NZ engineering and tech firms (e.g. Beca, Datacom, Fulton Hogan, Mainfreight); niche SMEs; and at least one government entity (Callaghan Innovation).

  1. Leadership & Governance: Governed by an elected Board of Directors drawn from member organisations. Key figures (2023):

    • Board Chair – Geoff Blake (Senior manager at Airbus NZ; elected Feb 2023)

    • Deputy Chair – Chris Edwards (Director of a logistics firm; SME representative)

    • Chief Executive Officer – Ian Harman (Appointed CEO of NZDIA; background in aerospace engineering and recruitment)

    • The Board typically includes representatives from both large contractors and local SMEs (e.g. past chairs have included industry consultants like Bernie Diver and corporate managers like Andrew Ford of Beca). (Full current board roster not publicly disclosed – Data Not Found.)

  1. Ownership / Shareholding: Not applicable – NZDIA is a non-profit association with no shareholders (governed by its members). Shareholders: Data Not Found

  1. Parent or Controlling Entities: None. NZDIA is an independent incorporated society. (It was initially formed in partnership with a government agency NZTE in 1998, but no government agency controls it.)

  1. Key Partner Organisations:

    • New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council (NZDIAC) – A government-industry council where NZDIA engages with MoD/NZDF to “monitor the health of the sector”.

    • Australian Industry & Defence Network (AIDN) – MOU signed with Australia’s defence industry association to cooperate regionally (e.g. since 2007).

    • Close working relationships with NZ Trade & Enterprise (NZTE), NZDF and MoD on industry events and initiatives.

  1. Government Participation: Public sector officials are heavily involved in NZDIA activities. MoD and NZDF staff attend planning meetings for NZDIA’s annual conference and provide speakers and equipment for events. Government agencies (NZTE, MBIE) also engage in NZDIA forums to present business opportunities and policy updates. NZDIA is considered the “government-recognised” industry body for defence suppliers.

  1. Advocacy Methods: In-house lobbying by NZDIA’s executives and board members; frequent direct engagement with Ministers, MPs, and defence officials via events and private meetings. NZDIA makes submissions on defence policy (e.g. White Papers) and uses public releases to influence debate.

  1. Lobbyists Engaged (External): None identified. (NZDIA appears to rely on its own staff and member representatives for lobbying – Data Not Found)

  1. Revolving Door Personnel: NZDIA itself has hired from government (e.g. its first Executive Director in 2016 had prior public-sector leadership experience). More significantly, member companies routinely employ former senior Defence Force officers – for example, Lockheed Martin NZ’s leadership has included a retired Air Vice-Marshal and a former Chief of Defence Force.

  1. Funding Sources: Primarily member contributions (annual membership fees) and event-related revenue. NZDIA’s major annual Forum has been sponsored by defence companies (e.g. Lockheed Martin was a principal sponsor) and supported by government grants (NZTE has financially sponsored NZDIA conferences). Specific financial data are not published – Annual Revenue: Data Not Found.

  1. Expenditures: Data Not Found (No public financial statements; as a non-profit, NZDIA is not required to disclose detailed accounts publicly under current law).

  1. Public Disclosure & Transparency: Limited. NZDIA does not publicly list its members on its website (membership list is private). It releases occasional press statements and has an online newsletter, but provides no regular public reports on its lobbying activities or finances. (No voluntary lobby register – NZ has no mandatory lobbying registry.)

  1. Regulatory Oversight: NZDIA is subject to general incorporated society obligations (e.g. maintaining a constitution and filing basic information with Companies Office) but is not regulated under any lobbying transparency or ethics legislation (none exists in NZ for industry associations). Its interactions with officials are largely informal and not officially reported.

  1. Notable Campaigns or Positions: NZDIA consistently advocates for greater inclusion of NZ businesses in defence procurements and emphasizes the economic benefits of defence spending. It has publicly supported the Government’s major Defence Capability Plans and promoted policies like “through-life support” contracting to favour local industry partnerships.

  1. Integrity and Ethics Policies: Data Not Found. (No publicly available code of conduct. NZDIA’s statements focus on promoting industry collaboration with government, without reference to specific integrity measures beyond standard legal compliance.)

  1. Controversies / Public Criticism: Not formally recorded in registry data. (Notably, peace groups have labeled NZDIA’s annual event a “weapons expo” and protested it, leading to cancellations – detailed in analysis. NZDIA’s public stance is that it is unfairly targeted and that it does not host arms sales per se.)

Footnotes:

[1] NZDIA “About Us” – Incorporated Society, Founded 1993, NZDIA website (nzdia.co.nz) – “NZDIA is an Incorporated Association, incorporated under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908… came into being in 1993, from the springboard of the ANZAC Frigate Project.” (Accessed 2025) – https://www.nzdia.co.nz/about

[2] Peace Action Wellington report (2015) – “It was organised in 1998 as the NZ Defence Technologies Action Group… In 2002, it changed its name to the NZ Defence Industry Association. In 2014, the constitution was amended to remove references to NZ Trade… In 2015, members of the NZDIA number 83.” – Profiting from war: the ‘defence’ industry in New Zealand, p.8-9, Converge (Peace Action Wellington) – https://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1511/pawreport.pdf

[3] NZDIA website – Contact information and address – NZDIA Contact page (2023) – (NZDIA mailing address in Remuera, Auckland) – https://www.nzdia.co.nz/contact

[4] Australian Defence Magazine – NZ Defence Industry Association listing (Defence Industry Guide 2022) – Address: PO Box 128261 Remuera… Email: ian@nzdia.co.nz… Year Established: 1993… NZDIA is the industry’s principal conduit into Government’s defence agencies (NZDF and MoD). – Australian Defence Magazine, www.australiandefence.com.au – (Archived page) – https://www.australiandefence.com.au/guide/nz-defence-industry-association

[5] Scoop News – NZDIA appeals for calm (press release, 15 Nov 2016) – “NZDIA Forum… will see 170 businesses from across New Zealand… Chair Bernie Diver says the defence industry provides ~2,500 jobs, in excess of $125 million in wages and more than $60 million back to the New Zealand economy.” – Scoop Business – https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1611/S00567/nzdia-appeals-for-calm.htm

[6] Scoop News – Huge opportunity for NZ defence manufacturing companies (press release via Make Lemonade, 9 Jun 2016) – “$20 billion defence upgrade… NZDIA chair Bernie Diver says… 2,500 full time jobs, $125m in wages and $60m in profits… The NZDIA looks forward to working with and supporting the MoD and NZDF as they define capabilities required… Industry can partner with prime international contractors to create highly skilled jobs…” – Scoop Business – https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1606/S00251/huge-opportunity-for-nz-defence-manufacturing-companies.htm

[7] Ministry of Defence – Statement of Intent 2021–2025, p.22 – “The Ministry is regularly engaged through the New Zealand Defence Industry Association (NZDIA) and the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council (NZDIAC) to monitor the health of the sector and identify opportunities to further support businesses.” – NZ Ministry of Defence (2021) – https://www.defence.govt.nz/assets/publications/mod-soi-2021-2025.pdf

[8] Peace Action Wellington report (2015) – Government involvement in NZDIA – “There is significant government involvement in the industry lobby group, the NZ Defence Industry Association: • Employees of the MoD and members of NZDF actively participate in the planning of the annual NZDIA conference… • NZ Trade & Enterprise (NZTE) is a financial sponsor of the industry weapons conference; in addition, it provides speakers…” – Profiting from war report, p.6, Peace Action Wellington – https://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1511/pawreport.pdf

[9] RNZ News – “Defence industry forum canned over protester concern” (1 Oct 2019) – “The NZDIA’s event has been the focus of demonstrations from groups who say it’s a weapons expo… At last year’s forum in Palmerston North people were arrested… NZDIA chairperson Andrew Ford said reasons for cancellation include wanting to protect delegates from aggressive protesters, the cost of the forum and success of smaller targeted forums. NZDIA will attend the Avalon Airshow in Melbourne and Pacific 2019 Maritime Expo in Sydney instead of hosting the forum… In 2015, RNZ reported weapons were on display at the event, which was sponsored by Lockheed Martin.” – Radio New Zealand – https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/400001/defence-industry-forum-canned-over-protester-concern

[10] Scoop News – NZDIA calls for peaceful protest (press release, 10 Oct 2017) – “‘To call our industry Forum an arms or weapons conference is simply untrue. We would never hold a weapons expo on our shores. That is not what our forum is,’ said NZDIA.” – Scoop Business – https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1710/S00304/new-defence-industry-association-calls-for-peaceful-protest.htm

[11] Scoop News – Lockheed Martin appoints Kevin Short as NZ country lead (press release, 15 Oct 2024) – “Lockheed Martin has appointed retired RNZAF officer, Air Marshal Kevin Short as Managing Director of Strategy and Business Development for Lockheed Martin’s New Zealand operation, effective Nov 2024. Short will succeed Graham Lintott, who will retire after a decade with the company… Short retired as Chief of Defence Force in June 2024.” – Scoop Business – https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2410/S00265/lockheed-martin-appoints-kevin-short-to-succeed-graham-lintott-as-new-zealand-country-lead.htm

[12] LinkedIn / Strategic Sourcing Consulting (profile of Bernie Diver) – “Bernie is a past Chair of the NZ Defence Industry Association and has represented Industry on the NZ Government Procurement Reform Strategy Group.” (2010s) – StrategicSourcing.co.nz (cached) – http://www.strategicsourcing.co.nz (see “Bernie Diver” profile)

[13] Defsec Magazine – “NZDIA votes in a new Chair” (Line of Defence, 8 Feb 2023) – “NZDIA CEO Ian Harman informed members: Geoff Blake elected as Chair and Chris Edwards returning as Deputy Chair… Geoff Blake (Airbus NZ) leads Airbus’ NZ aviation MRO business… Deputy Chair Chris Edwards was the first SME company owner in years to be President of CBAFF (Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Fed).” – Line of Defence Magazine – https://defsec.net.nz/2023/02/08/new-zealand-defence-industry-association-new-chair/

[14] Defsec Magazine – Q&A: Ian Harman, NZDIA CEO (Line of Defence, Oct 2021) – Ian Harman recounts his background: trained as an aircraft engineer with Marshall Aerospace, worked with military from age 16 (Falklands War support), later moved into aviation recruitment. – “I truly believe my extensive experience working with NZDF… I can add value to NZDIA.” – Line of Defence (Spring 2021 Issue) – https://defsec.net.nz/2021/10/14/defence-industry-enagagement-ian-harman/ (interview)

[15] Beehive (NZ Govt) – Ministerial Diary Summary (July 2024) – Entry: “20/07/2024 7:30 PM – Attend: NZ Defence Industry Association Space Technology and Innovation Event, Auckland. (Event attendees: Defence; Space)” – Minister’s official diary (Obtained via OIA) – [Beehive.govt.nz, released PDF]

[16] NZ Herald – Protest at defence forum in Palmerston North (31 Oct 2018) – “Around 400 protestors converged… saying the NZDIA Forum was not in the interest of peace… The afternoon protest was without incident despite police detaining a woman earlier… Peace Action Manawatū led the march.” – Manawatū Guardian / NZ Herald – https://www.nzherald.co.nz/manawatu-guardian/news/protest-against-war-industry-at-palmerston-north-defence-forum/CVHA37ZT4PIQ666H4ZSMNBICRY/

[17] NZ Herald – Phil O’Reilly opinion: Government defence spending a chance for NZ tech growth (30 Nov 2020) – “We have the NZ Defence Industry Association, and Australia has its Industry Capability Network… If we’re smart, NZ companies can leverage defence procurement for tech development here.” – NZ Herald (Opinion) – https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/government-defence-spending-a-chance-for-nz-tech-growth/ (mentions NZDIA role)

[18] Transparency International NZ – National Integrity System Assessment 2018 – Notes NZ’s lack of lobbying regulation; calls NZ’s approach “light-handed” and identifies defence procurement as an area needing transparency. (Context for lobbying environment) – TINZ, 2018.

[19] Point of Order (Bryce Edwards) – “Integrity Institute launches NZ Lobbying & Influence Register” (April 2025) – Discusses need for sunlight on lobbyists; mentions NZDIA as one of the industry groups being profiled. – Point of Order blog – https://pointofordernz.wordpress.com/2025/04/16/integrity-briefing-lobbying-reform-battle-heats-up/ (context of register)

[20] FYI (OIA request) – NZTE engagement with NZDIA (Valerie Morse to NZTE, 2020) – Request for “any information about NZTE’s relationship with NZDIA 2017–2020” and “info on overseas defence conferences”. (Response confirmed NZTE sponsorship and coordination with NZDIA) – FYI.org.nz – https://fyi.org.nz/request/13110-nzte-engagement-with-nzdia

Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz

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