The Centre for Strategic Studies: New Zealand (CSS:NZ) is an international and military affairs research (strategic studies) centre located in Wellington, New Zealand. Formerly jointly supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Defence, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Victoria University of Wellington, it is now a part of Victoria University's School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations.
Established in 1993 following a perceived need to examine New Zealand's international relations and situation more closely, the centre has had four directors. Terence O'Brien, who was a former New Zealand diplomat with a career as New Zealand Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, the European Commission in Brussels, and the United Nations in New York, was appointed as Director when the centre was first established. From 1993 to 2001 when O'Brien was the Director, the centre was most active. The Centre managed to retain a reputation for independent advice not linked to the policies of major New Zealand political parties during this initial seven-year period. The Centre put out a number of publications and thought pieces related to New Zealand security and defence issues. David Dickens, the former deputy director of the CSS, took over when Mr O'Brien's term finished in 2001 but he was controversial as a 'National Party' hack and there was a Select Committee enquiry into his appointment which issued a critical report and Dickens lasted less than two years until 2002. Dickens was succeeded by Peter Cozens who retired in late 2009. Robert Ayson, formerly with the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre of the Australian National University, took over as Director and concurrent Professor of Strategic Studies in early 2010. The Current Director is Professor David Capie.