Defence Minister Judith Collins at the groundbreaking ceremony for the $82.7 million regional supply building. Construction is expected to take about two years. Photo: Anna Sargent
A new $58 million building for equipment maintenance and repairs at Canterbury's Burnham Military Camp will help to modernise the Defence Force, the Defence Minister says.
Judith Collins opened The Forge - Te Toki, which housed weapons, army vehicles, tools and spare parts, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday.
She said it was a modern complex that would make it easier for personnel to do their job in an "increasingly complex and very contested world".
"I just think it's fabulous and everyone is so excited to be working in it. It's purpose built, it's just what the army needed. You've got to have your logistics together, you've got to be able to do what you have to do in one place," she said.
Photo: Anna Sargent
"By following the same design and process as the Linton facility, it has been delivered ahead of time and $6.25 million under budget."
Collins was also part of a ceremony marking the start of construction on a $82.7 million regional supply building at the Burnham camp that would act as a key hub for equipment and supplies.
Approximately 600 people would be employed during the construction phase of about two years.
Collins said upgrades to Defence Force infrastructure were important for national resilience and security.
"We are living through the most challenging times that I can remember in my lifetime," she said.
"The global rules-based order is under pressure, regional sovereignty is being tested and the pace of technological change is accelerating. Defence is not something that can be mothballed until it's needed. It must be ready, resilient and responsive.
"These new facilities represent a change in how we deliver logistics in support of our military activities."
Defence Minister Judith Collins on a tour of the new $58 million building for equipment maintenance and repairs at Burnham Military Camp. Photo: Anna Sargent
Defence Force vice chief Rear Admiral Mathew Williams said New Zealand was facing its most challenging and dangerous strategic environment for decades.
"These two facilities are significant enablers of our ability to deliver the capabilities that New Zealand needs. At a superficial level, new buildings, equipment and better ways of working improve the job satisfaction of our soldiers and the ability of capabilities essential for a deployable army," he said.
Selwyn MP Nicola Grigg said the upgrades were important for the district.
"A large amount of our military personnel live and reside here in Selwyn and their kids go to the local schools, and their partners work locally and this is all a big part of the defence upgrade which actually does a lot for the morale of the people and [makes them want to] stay here and be a part of it," she said.
Collins said improving defence logistics was part of the government's $12 billion defence capability plan released in April.
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