The New Zealand Defence Force ( NZDF) is making good progress towards its goal of having a joint task force at the core of its structure by 2015, Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman said Friday in a visit to the country's largest ever multinational military.

Coleman was in the South Island at the month-long Exercise Southern Katipo, which involves up to 2,200 personnel from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, France, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Tonga, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The exercise aimed to test the NZDF's ability to mount a medium scale amphibious operation involving maritime, land and air assets and test the current capability of the NZDF Joint Task Force.

"This joined-up capability, drawn from navy, army and air force, as well other government agencies, will be a key capability for New Zealand and a valuable asset contributing to regional security, " Coleman said in a statement.

"Exercises like Southern Katipo help New Zealand to prepare for a variety of contingencies, and ensure that we can play our part alongside other nations to provide assistance when required, particularly in the South Pacific."

Two New Zealand navy vessels, HMNZS Canterbury and HMNZS Wellington, and up to nine Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft are taking part in the exercise, including the new NH90 and A109 helicopters, which are participating in a major exercise for the first time.

"The government has made a significant investment in new air force state-of-the-art capability, and it is great to see that new capability being utilized," said Coleman.