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Further to PWQ 8287 Does the Minister consider that any current or proposed bicultural initiatives within the armed forces have been appropriately consulted, do not detract from combat capability, and do not exclude any personnel and if so how and if not why not?

Answered Question 12616 (2026)
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Asked by

Teanau Tuiono

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • Further to PWQ 8287 Does the Minister consider that any current or proposed bicultural initiatives within the armed forces have been appropriately consulted, do not detract from combat capability, and do not exclude any personnel and if so how and if not why not?

Answered by

Hon Chris Penk

Member for Kaipara ki Mahurangi · National Party · Minister of Defence

Answer

The primary role of the NZ Army is to be a combat capable and fighting fit army. Any decisions related to a bicultural policy need to be fully and appropriately consulted, must not be at the expense of delivering the core military outputs that taxpayers expect and must not exclude any member of our defence force.