24343 (2026). Hon Damien O'Connor to the Minister of Defence

Written Question

Published date: 16 Jun 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	24343 (2026)
Question asked:	01 Jun 2026
Member asking:	Hon Damien O'Connor
Portfolio:	Minister of Defence
Minister replying:	Hon Chris Penk
Answer received:	09 Jun 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_24343_2026
Document guid:	ad49eca9-897c-4527-99e0-9e3aefc2192a

24343 (2026). Hon Damien O'Connor to the Minister of Defence: What is the total tagged-contingency provision for maritime fleet renewal across the Defence Capability Plan initiatives funded in Budget 2026 (including the Polar Patrol, Uncrewed Persistent Surveillance, and Transformation and Programme Costs initiatives, several of which have figures withheld for commercial sensitivity), and what is the forecast whole-of-life cost of the future naval fleet, if any?

Hon Chris Penk: Budget 26 has provided $51 million in operating funding over the next four years in the overall programme looking at the make-up of New Zealand’s maritime fleet. Further details on the Polar Patrol and Uncrewed Persistent Surveillance projects are subject to decisions by Cabinet and Ministers, and future commercial negotiations, so cannot be released at this time, but will be released in due course. No decisions have been made on the make-up of the future fleet.