[4] In 1969-71 moves were implemented to provide a fully centralised administration in control of all non-operational functions previously within the responsibility of the three services.

Policy formation and planning, logistics and supply, personnel, administration, finance, civil management, and management services were transferred to the central Defence Headquarters.

Each Chief of Staff and their separate Headquarters were now only concerned with operational matters.

Both are equally answerable to the Minister of Defence for their individual elements.

In 1999 James Rolfe described in The Armed Forces of New Zealand the then structure of the Ministry of Defence.