I am afraid it is not only New Zealand who has this penny pinching attitude.
Most Air forces are faced with the Bean Counter calling the shots in areas that they are not qualified and so safety takes a back seat. When things go wrong it is hard for a non bean counter like myself, to compare the saving made with the total loss of life and injury.
The armed forces is something the polies like to have but when are tight do not want to help save the situation by making an effort in regard to their own wants.
Australia has just gone through a defence cost saving exercise where we no longer can do the job that is expected. Whilst this situation is on the boil, our PM get another pay rise (the third I believe) but this time is to the tune of $90,000.
This nonsense will only stop when we are involved in a major conflict.
Regards
Col