Officers & Management

What does an Officer do?

Officers are the leaders of the Defence Force. They’re the ones who can take control of a situation, command people and resources efficiently and make the necessary calls under pressure. They’re driven, ambitious and passionate about what they do. And their expertise is second to none.

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Your kind of career

Officers cover a huge range of specialties across the Navy, Army and Air Force – so no matter your interests, you’ll be sure to find an exciting, diverse career in a field that’s relevant to you.

What being an Officer can involve

01Doing

02Leading

03Training

04Strategy

05Managing

06Co-ordinating

Leading from day one

You don’t have to work your way up to an Officer position – you can enter as one straightaway. This means you’ll get to take on real responsibility from a young age.

If you join as an Officer in the Navy or Air Force, you’ll start training in your specific Officer role from the outset. In the Army, however, you’ll first complete your initial officer training as an Army Officer, before moving into one of our specialist roles:

  • Combat
  • Engineering
  • Intelligence
  • Communications
  • Logistics

Why become an Officer?

No matter whether you choose an Officer role in the Navy, Army or Air Force, you’ll get more benefits than most careers in the civilian world – or even in other Defence Force roles. From being surrounded by other like-minded individuals to gaining leadership experience overseas, to hands-on, tailored career management, it’s a career – and a lifestyle – that’s truly unique. Check out some of the many reasons to become an officer below:

  • Salary and benefits

    Not only are officers paid to train, but our salaries are competitive with the civilian world too. There’s even the opportunity to work your way up to a six-figure salary in some of our roles. And there's a lot more additional benefits too:

    • world-class training
    • partnered study
    • subsidised food and accommodation on base
    • free uniforms and job-related clothing
    • access to gym, clubs and leisure facilities
    • free medical and dental care.

     

  • Early responsibility

    Officers don’t start from the bottom. You’ll quickly take on the task of leading teams of trained professionals and making real decisions. That means you’ll get practical experience from a young age that you’d otherwise spend years working towards in most other jobs.

  • Job variety

    You’ll get the chance to move around leadership roles easily – so you don’t have to be afraid that you’ll be stuck in the same job for long. Our hands-on career-management team can work with you to help tailor your roles to your specific career goals, meaning that you can apply to move where you want throughout your career – and gain as many diverse job experiences as you desire.

  • World class leadership skills

    With our specialist training, you’ll quickly become an expert in your field – and with the opportunity to train and update your leadership skills overseas, you’ll soon be at a world-class level. The skills you learn won’t just be relevant in your officer role either – they’ll be real-world skills that every employer will look for, but that only the best candidates will have. Best of all, you’ll be paid to train, so you’ll gain these skills without the hefty student loan.

  • Partnered study

    Whether you want to take on an undergraduate degree, diploma or even post-graduate study, we can help you get there – through subsidised or fully-funded course fees and even paid study leave. 

  • Deployments and training

    From operations in Antarctica to exercises on the other side of the world, travel will be a major component of your career. Your experiences working alongside people of other cultures and in unfamiliar environments will add unique skills to your CV, and give you personal insights into other cultures that most people will never see. You may even get the chance to train in world-class facilities across the globe, or participate in exchange programmes with other militaries, including those in the UK, US and Australia.

  • Personal travel

    Your travels won’t just be all work and no play. With plenty of downtime, you’ll get the chance to explore places outside of hours too – meaning you’ll get experiences after work and on weekends that others can only dream of. Plus, since you’ll already be overseas, many of your travel costs will already be covered.

  • A network for life

    A career in the Defence Force means setting yourself up with a wider network – not just of friends, but with a team of some of the most knowledgeable, specialised experts in the country. As you complete your initial officer training on base, you won’t just be surrounded by other like-minded individuals at work, but after hours too – so you don’t have to be worried that you’re in it alone. There’s also the opportunity to be involved in the wider community outside of base too, with officers often invited to represent the Defence Force in community events.

  • Technology and equipment

    You’ll get to work with some of the latest and most advanced technology and equipment that can’t be found anywhere else – so your skills will be at the forefront of the ever-changing technological environment.

  • Sports

    Officers are just as involved in sports as our other personnel. There's plenty of opportunities to further your sporting career, with plenty of teams on and off base from rugby to basketball, volleyball, netball, football, cycling, athletics and more. Our teams often take trips overseas to compete internationally too, with the ability to take special sporting leave or even apply for the Defence Force to sponsor your trip.

  • Family life

    As a family-focused employer, you’ll be able to work your officer's career around your family, with the ability to take maternity or parental leave as necessary. And just like other jobs, you can also take time away from your role in the Defence Force as you wish – whether to pursue other work opportunities, travel or simply gain different experience  – and can apply to re-enlist at any time, in the same or a different role.

You won’t be locked-in

In most instances, you won’t be bound into a period of service. Just like a civilian job, you can leave to take advantage of other career opportunities as you desire. In fact, the only times you’ll face a return of service will be if you either apply for us to sponsor your tertiary education fees, or you undertake training in specific roles such as a Pilot or Air Warfare Officer (these are specified on the individual role pages).

The skills you gain will be well sought after, outside of the military too – with Officers often hunted for positions at the top of the industry they’ve been trained for in the corporate world. And it's not hard to see why, with their first-class knowledge, expertise and leadership ability. So no matter what your career goals are, life as an officer can provide more experience and opportunities for growth than most other jobs.

42 Roles available in the Officers & Management specialisation across All services

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Airforce

Air Warfare Officer

Flight operations | Navigation | Officers & Management

Officer entry

Aboard the long-range surveillance P-8A Poseidon aircraft, you will learn to operate and manage the complex hi-tech systems used to conduct a wide variety of missions including anti-submarine warfare, resource protection and search and rescue.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $140,000

  • Location

    Varied

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Navy

Airborne Tactical Officer (Observer)

Flight operations | Navigation | Officers & Management

Officer entry

The Airborne Tactical Officer or “Observer” acts as mission commander for the aircraft and is responsible for its sensors, communication systems and weapons. You’re the key link between aircraft and ship, evaluating sensor information and performing tactical analysis to employ the helicopter in the best way to accomplish the mission. Be it warfare operations, search and rescue, delivering aid and more.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $142,000

  • Location

    Devonport

NZARMY OFFICER MTP

Army

Army Officer

Combat & Special Operations | Engineering & Technical trades | Intelligence, IT & Communications | Logistics & Administration | Officers & Management

Officer entry

You are a leader in the Army; you are tasked with planning and executing Operations in difficult situations. Take command of soldiers, equip yourself to lead and inspire others to bring out the best in themselves.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $140,000

  • Location

    Linton, Burnham, Trentham, Wellington, Papakura and Waiouru.

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Airforce

Chaplain

Education & Support roles | Healthcare | Officers & Management

Officer entry

As a Chaplain of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, you are appointed to provide ministry to Air Force personnel (both military and civilian) and their families.

  • Under training

    $81,184

  • Future potential earnings

    $127,277

  • Location

    Varied

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Army

Chaplain

Education & Support roles | Healthcare | Officers & Management

Officer entry

As a Chaplain of the New Zealand Army, you are appointed to provide ministry to Army personnel (both military and civilian) and their families.

  • Under training

    $81,184

  • Future potential earnings

    $127,277

  • Location

    Varied

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Navy

Chaplain

Education & Support roles | Healthcare | Officers & Management

Officer entry

You are the Navy’s spiritual anchor, providing ministry, friendship, comfort and guidance to military and civilian personnel, and their families.

  • Under training

    $81,184

  • Future potential earnings

    $127,277

  • Location

    Varied

RNZAF CISO MTP

Airforce

Communications and Information Systems Officer

Intelligence, IT & Communications | Officers & Management

General entry

As a Communications and Information Systems Officer (CISO), you will be responsible for leading personnel and Information Communication Technology (ICT) systems to support operations wherever the RNZAF is deployed.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $140,000

  • Location

    Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington, Blenheim

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Army

Dental Officer (Dentist)

Healthcare | Officers & Management

Officer entry

Be a Dentist in one of the most exciting and unusual surgeries in the world: the NZ Army.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $98,000

  • Location

    Various

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Airforce

Engineering Officer

Engineering & Technical trades | Officers & Management

Officer entry

As an Air Force Engineering Officer you will lead teams of highly skilled technicians operating in a fast paced and dynamic environment.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $140,000

  • Location

    Varied

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Airforce

Environmental Health Officer

Healthcare | Officers & Management

Officer entry

Environmental Health Officers who are described as Force Health Protection Officers, plan, coordinate and implement control strategies to minimise adverse health impacts from the environment and the workplace.

  • Specialist starting salary

    $77,181

  • Future potential earnings

    $154,956

  • Location

    Whenuapai, Ohakea

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Navy

Helicopter Pilot

Flight operations | Navigation | Officers & Management

Officer entry

Take the controls of one of the most advanced aircraft in New Zealand, the Kaman SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite and experience a diverse and rewarding career

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $142,000

  • Location

    Whenuapai

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Navy

Hydrographic Survey Officer

Navigation | Officers & Management | Operational support

Officer entry

Hydrographic Survey Officers lead teams undertaking survey work in support of everything from beach landings to identifying routes through minefields. You will be trained as a leader, a mariner and a surveyor. Your career will be diverse and challenging with regularly changing roles both within and outside the hydrographic survey trade.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $142,000

  • Location

    Devonport

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Airforce

Intelligence Officer

Intelligence, IT & Communications | Officers & Management

Officer entry

Military intelligence is a fascinating area of our operations and you will be at the heart of it, interpreting intelligence data on a wide range of missions at home and overseas.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $140,000

  • Location

    Auckland, Ohakea, and Wellington

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Airforce

Learning and Development Officer

Education & Support roles | Officers & Management

Officer entry

Take your knowledge and skills to new places.

  • Under training

    $86,092

  • Future potential earnings

    $131,525

  • Location

    Varied

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Army

Learning and Development Officer

Education & Support roles | Officers & Management

Officer entry

Take your education skills to new places, both inside and outside of the classroom.

  • Under training

    $86,092

  • Future potential earnings

    $131,525

  • Location

    Varied

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Navy

Learning and Development Officer

Education & Support roles | Officers & Management

Officer entry

Take your knowledge and skills to new places.

  • Under training

    $86,092

  • Future potential earnings

    $131,525

  • Location

    Varied

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Airforce

Legal Officer

Education & Support roles | Officers & Management

Officer entry

Not many legal specialists get trained to lead teams of people in all kinds of situations, handle weapons and develop problem-solving, adventure and outdoor skills. As a Legal Advisor, your career can vary greatly depending on what appointment you hold, but you could find yourself working in areas such as Military law, military and civilian employment law or human rights and privacy law.

  • Under training

    $86,092

  • Future potential earnings

    $169,941

  • Location

    Varied

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Army

Legal Officer

Education & Support roles | Officers & Management

Officer entry

Not many legal specialists get trained to lead teams of people in all kinds of situations, handle weapons and develop problem-solving, adventure and outdoor skills. As a Legal Officer, your career can vary greatly depending on what appointment you hold, but you could find yourself working in areas such as Military law, military and civilian employment law or human rights and privacy law.

  • Under training

    $86,092

  • Future potential earnings

    $169,941

  • Location

    Varied

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Navy

Legal Officer

Education & Support roles | Officers & Management

Officer entry

Not many legal specialists get trained to lead teams of people in all kinds of situations, handle weapons and develop problem-solving, adventure and outdoor skills. As a Legal Officer, your career can vary greatly depending on what appointment you hold, but you could find yourself working in areas such as Military law, military and civilian employment law or human rights and privacy law.

  • Under training

    $86,092

  • Future potential earnings

    $169,941

  • Location

    Auckland

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Airforce

Logistics Officer

Logistics & Administration | Officers & Management

Officer entry

Moving and managing military hardware, supplies and personnel requires quick thinkers and cool heads. Take the lead in this role that offers travel and challenges.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $140,000

  • Location

    Varied

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Navy

Marine Engineer Officer

Engineering & Technical trades | Officers & Management

Officer entry

Marine Engineer Officers are the Navy’s experts on ship’s structure, propulsion, power generation, hydraulic and habitability systems.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $142,000

  • Location

    Devonport

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Navy

Maritime Logistics Officer

Logistics & Administration | Officers & Management

Officer entry

Working ashore, at sea and overseas, you will train to become an expert at leading and organising the provision of supplies to our ships, bases and personnel.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $142,000

  • Location

    Devonport

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Airforce

Medical Officer (Doctor)

Healthcare | Officers & Management

Officer entry

NZDF health is tasked with maintaining, improving and restoring the health of the Defence Force in order to maintain the operational effectiveness of the NZDF.

  • Vocationally trained initial salary

    $203,464

  • Future potential earnings

    $281,498

  • Location

    Various

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Navy

Medical Officer (Doctor)

Healthcare | Officers & Management

Officer entry

NZDF health is tasked with maintaining, improving and restoring the health of the Defence Force in order to maintain the operational effectiveness of the NZDF.

  • Vocationally trained initial salary

    $203,464

  • Future potential earnings

    $281,498

  • Location

    Various

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Navy

Mine Warfare Clearance Diving Officer

Combat & Special Operations | Navigation | Officers & Management

Officer entry

As a Mine Warfare Clearance Diving Officer you will lead a team of divers in the water doing explosive ordnance disposal, maritime security and mine clearance tasks.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $142,000

  • Location

    Devonport

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Army

Nursing Officer

Healthcare | Officers & Management

General entry

Few nursing careers offer this level of variety. Learn to be a leader and gain outdoor, adventure and soldiering skills.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $98,000

  • Location

    Various

Army Pharmacist MTP

Army

Pharmacist

Healthcare | Officers & Management

Officer entry

As a Pharmacist in the New Zealand Army, you will be able to take your existing skills to the next level. The comprehensive training you will receive as an officer will allow you to lead teams of people, in all kinds of situations.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $98,000

  • Location

    Various

RNZAF PILOT ROTARY HERO

Airforce

Pilot

Flight operations | Navigation | Officers & Management

Officer entry

You will understand why this is one of the most sought after careers in the Air Force as you take the controls of the most awesome military aircraft in our fleet.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $140,000

  • Location

    Ohakea

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Airforce

Psychologist

Education & Support roles | Healthcare | Officers & Management

Officer entry

Finding out what makes Air Force personnel tick is just one of the exciting challenges of this role. Develop your psychology skills in the fast moving and exciting military world.

  • Under training

    $71,113

  • Future potential earnings

    $140,784

  • Location

    Whenuapai, Ohakea, Woodbourne

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Army

Psychologist

Education & Support roles | Healthcare | Officers & Management

Officer entry

Develop your psychology expertise in unique situations, providing advice at all levels of our fascinating organisation.

  • Under training

    $71,113

  • Future potential earnings

    $140,784

  • Location

    Varied

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Navy

Psychologist

Education & Support roles | Healthcare | Officers & Management

Officer entry

A psychology career unlike any other, based ashore, at sea and even overseas. You will have the opportunity to experience a number of areas within organisational and military psychology.

  • Under training

    $71,113

  • Future potential earnings

    $140,784

  • Location

    Auckland

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Navy

Reserve Chaplain

Education & Support roles | Navy Reserve | Officers & Management

Officer entry, Navy Reserve

You are the Navy’s spiritual anchor, providing ministry, friendship, comfort and guidance to military and civilian personnel, and their families.

  • Daily Initial Rate

    $231

  • Daily Initial Rate

    $231

  • Location

    Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin

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Navy

Reserve Legal Officer

Education & Support roles | Navy Reserve | Officers & Management

Officer entry, Navy Reserve

Not many legal specialists get trained to lead teams of people in all kinds of situations, handle weapons and develop problem-solving skills. As a Reserve Legal Officer, you could find yourself working in areas such as military law, military and civilian employment law, or human rights and privacy law.

  • Daily Initial Rate

    $248

  • Daily Initial Rate

    $248

  • Location

    Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin

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Navy

Reserve Medical Officer (Doctor)

Healthcare | Navy Reserve | Officers & Management

Officer entry, Navy Reserve

NZDF health is tasked with maintaining, improving and restoring the health of the Defence Force in order to maintain the operational effectiveness of the NZDF.

  • Daily Initial Rate

    $418

  • Daily Initial Rate

    $418

  • Location

    Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin

ARMY RESF MSO2

Army

Reserve Medical Scientific Officer

Army Reserve | Healthcare | Officers & Management

Officer entry, Army Reserve

As a Medical Scientist in the New Zealand Army you will function and interface with multidisciplinary medical personnel in both civilian-based hospital and military field hospital environments.

  • Minimum Daily Rate

    $229

  • Location

    Various

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Navy

Reserve MTO Officer

Navy Reserve | Officers & Management | Operational support

Officer entry, Navy Reserve

Reserve MTO Officers fuse maritime trade related information and experience with expert analysis and assessment in order to support the decision-making processes of military commanders at sea and ashore.

  • Daily Initial Rate

    $201

  • Daily Initial Rate

    $201

  • Location

    ​Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin

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Army

Reserve Officer

Army Reserve | Combat & Special Operations | Engineering & Technical trades | Intelligence, IT & Communications | Logistics & Administration | Officers & Management

Officer entry, Army Reserve

  • Initial Daily Rate

    $284

  • Future potential earnings

    $98,000

  • Location

    Various

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Navy

Reserve Psychologist

Healthcare | Navy Reserve | Officers & Management

Officer entry, Navy Reserve

A psychology career unlike any other, based ashore, at sea and even overseas. You will have the opportunity to experience a number of areas within organisational and military psychology.

  • Daily Initial Rate

    $224

  • Daily Initial Rate

    $224

  • Location

    Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin

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Navy

Reserve Public Affairs Officer

Education & Support roles | Navy Reserve | Officers & Management

Officer entry, Navy Reserve

Reserve Public Affairs Officers tell our story to internal and external audiences. You might be telling that story from a base or camp in New Zealand, from a ship at sea, or while deployed overseas in the midst of an exercise or operation.

  • Daily Initial Rate

    $224

  • Daily Initial Rate

    $224

  • Location

    ​Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin

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Army

Reserve Radiographer

Army Reserve | Healthcare | Officers & Management

Officer entry, Army Reserve

As a Radiographer in the New Zealand Army you will function and interface with multidisciplinary medical personnel in both civilian-based hospital and military field hospital environments.

  • Minimum Daily Rate

    $229

  • Location

    Various

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Navy

Warfare Officer

Navigation | Officers & Management

Officer entry

Warfare Officers ‘drive’ the warships. You work on the ship’s bridge, control the ship's manoeuvring, are responsible for the safe passage and navigation of the ship at sea, and manage the bridge staff.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $142,000

  • Location

    Devonport

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Navy

Weapon Engineer Officer

Engineering & Technical trades | Officers & Management

Officer entry

As a Weapon Engineer Officer you will be one of the Navy’s weapon, communication, sensor and combat management system experts.