The New Zealand Defence Force is the organisation, in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, responsible for delivering Defence. The Defence Force provides essential support to the delivery of the Government’s national security interests. Contingent military capabilities are held for unforeseen emergencies or to reinforce existing operations. This could include New Zealand contributions to multinational operations or United Nations mandated missions, however, the forces are held principally to allow the Defence Force to respond to security events in which New Zealand acts alone to protect national interests.