The report is yet to be released, but Mr Goff today told Parliament's foreign affairs, defence and trade committee he had been briefed on the report and it would only contain minor criticisms.
These were aimed at the need for more frequent and detailed progress updates to the committee and the public on how it was going.
"I can tell you right here and now that report, from my understanding of it, does not assert weak or poor performance or negligence by the ministry at all in managing defence acquisition projects."
A week ago National's defence spokesman Wayne Mapp said the report would make grim reading.
His comments followed several high-profile problems with the navy's acquisition of seven ships, dubbed Project Protector.
The first of those ships, the multi-role HMNZS Canterbury, has been confined to New Zealand waters while multiple problems are sorted out.
The largest problem is low open alcoves on either side of the ship for two rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) after one of the RHIBs was lost in high seas.
The navy was also to get two offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and four inshore patrol craft (IPCs).
Mr Goff today said the delivery of some of those boats had been indefinitely delayed as Tenix had been unable to get approval from maritime certifier Lloyds.
He said that was Tenix's responsibility and the Government was negotiating who would pay for the other problems.
National has also criticised a sharp escalation in the final costs of 13 new helicopters from their original estimates.
Dr Mapp today said those issues seemed to indicate major problems in the Defence Force and Defence Ministry's capacity to conduct major purchases.
But Mr Goff said major defence purchases were complex and New Zealand's processes had been smooth compared with problems encountered by Australia, Britain and the United States.
Australia had spent $1.3 billion on a botched Seasprite helicopter acquisition programme, Britain had an order of Chinook helicopters that were nine years overdue and the United States had coastal patrol ships that were years late and had doubled in price.
"That has not happened in New Zealand."
In the case of the helicopters, their price had only risen in relation to the first estimates before it was even decided what kind of helicopter would be purchased. There had been almost no escalation in the price signed off by Cabinet.
The Auditor-General's report is expected to be released at end of next week.
