Request for copies of Defence Force Orders
Lance Watson made this Official Information request to Ministry of Defence
Currently waiting for a response from Ministry of Defence, they must respond promptly and normally no later than (details and exceptions).
From: Lance Watson
Kia ora Ministry of Defence,
Could I please request a copy of all current and previous versions of Defence Force Orders.
Ngā mihi,
Lance Watson
From: Information
Ministry of Defence
UNCLASSIFIED
Kia ora Lance,
Please find attached our letter transferring your request to the New
Zealand Defence Force.
Ngā mihi,
Ministry of Defence
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UNCLASSIFIED
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From: Ministerial Services
Kia ora Lance
Your request below has been received however, we would like to define the
scope of your request.
We note that you have requested for a copy of all current and previous
versions of Defence Force Orders. This covers a broad range of documents,
from temporary orders to permament orders, across multiple subject
matters, over many years. Our response to such a request would require
substantial collation as a preliminary search on our data management
system has indicated tens of thousands of pages of documents.
Requests which are too broad may result in delays, charges, or even
refusals. Accordingly, we are reaching out to you to seek clarification.
We ask that you specify your request for official information with due
particularity. This may look like giving specific timeframes and the
specific subject matter of which you would like to receive copies of the
Defence Forcer orders.
Further guidance on making official information requests can be found on
the Ombudsman’s website:
[1]https://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/reso....
Ngā mihi
Corporate and Ministerial Services
Office of the Chief of Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force | Te Ope Kātua o Aotearoa
[2]www.nzdf.mil.nz
From: Information
Sent: Friday, 17 July 2026 9:53 a.m.
To: Lance Watson <[FOI #35076 email]>
Cc: Ministerial Services <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Request for copies of Defence
Force Orders [UNCLASSIFIED]
UNCLASSIFIED
Kia ora Lance,
Please find attached our letter transferring your request to the New
Zealand Defence Force.
Ngā mihi,
Ministry of Defence
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNCLASSIFIED
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From: Lance Watson
Kia ora,
Thank you for the prompt response.
It is difficult to provide specificity on my request when I don't know the breadth of the content of DFOs.
I'm looking for a copy of all Defence Force Orders issued under section 27 of the Defence Act 1990.
I'm a legislative historical researcher and am aiming to collate any and all official documentation released under the authority of legislation.
I understand this could result in substantial work, so if it makes this easier, perhaps just a copy of snything already digitised that is easily collated.
I'm unsure if any of these orders contain classified information that would require further work to review.
If the above would still require too much, could I request you provide as many orders as you deem reasonably practicable, beginning at the most historical orders you have available, and working forward, alongside an index of the remainder of the orders.
Ngā mihi,
Lance Watson
From: Ministerial Services
Link: [1]File-List
Link: [2]Edit-Time-Data
Good morning Lance,
For context, Defence Force Orders generally provide the policies for the
operation of the Defence Force. There are more than 500 such orders
currently, incorporating all orders ever promulgated would run into the
thousands. Some of these orders concern sensitive operational information
concerning the Defence Force and will not be released.
Unless your request can be refined to a particular subject, it is likely
that your request will be declined given the impact it will have on the
efficient administration of the Defence Force.
Regards
Corporate and Ministerial Services
OCDF, Office of Chief of Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force
[3]www.nzdf.mil.nz
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From: Lance Watson
Kia ora,
Thank you for your response. I appreciate the significant amount of work this would involve.
At the current stage, could you please provide DFO 1 to 5, just the current version of each.
Ngā mihi,
Lance Watson
From: Ministerial Services
Kia ora Lance
Your request below has been received and a decision on your request will
be provided as soon as possible and no later than 19 August 2026.
Responses to requests for information that are considered to be in the
wider public interest will be published on the New Zealand Defence Force
website ([1]www.nzdf.mil.nz). Any personal information will not be
published.
Regards
Corporate and Ministerial Services
Office of the Chief of Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force | Te Ope Kātua o Aotearoa
[2]www.nzdf.mil.nz
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Things to do with this request
- Add an annotation (to help the requester or others)
- Download a zip file of all correspondence (note: this contains the same information already available above).
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Alex Harris left an annotation ()
To save you some time in future, I've asked for a list. If its released, you or other interested researchers can request the specific orders you want.
Link to this