13 October
New Zealand Ministry of Defence has released a biodefence assessment that examines the role of the country’s defence force in supporting wider government agencies’ biodefence activities. Titled ‘Biodefence: Preparing for a New Era of Biological Hazards and Threats’, the assessment has been developed in consultation with the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and other government agencies. Defence Minister Ron Mark said: “The Defence Force plays an important role supporting other government agencies, such as MPI, DOC, and Police, in reducing, readying for, responding to, and recovering from biological hazards and threats.” This kind of support is currently seen in the way NZDF is responding and supporting to Covid-19 crisis.
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