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About the role
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Specialisations
Education & Support roles | Healthcare | Officers & Management
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Entry type
Officer entry
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Under training
$81,184
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Location
Varied
As a Chaplain of the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), you are appointed to provide ministry to Navy personnel (both military and civilian) and their families. You are expected to be a friend and advisor to all. It is a unique ministry which can take you to the four corners of the earth, on sea, or land deployments, wherever Navy personnel are required to serve. You are an integral part of the Navy and the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) team.
Navy Chaplains provide quality pastoral care and assistance to all sailors and their families. This will involve providing both responsive and preventative care and may include support through relationship conflict, family dynamics, grief and loss, stress, and spiritual/religious advice. Army Chaplains are required to maintain a high level of confidentiality. They assist in times of crisis or emergency, both at the personal and organisational level.
Requirements
Basics
- Be ordained, licensed, commissioned or otherwise fully authorised to officiate on behalf of your denomination
- Have normally completed five years full-time pastoral ministry since ordination
- Be of good character – including a comprehensive police record check
- Pass on Officer Selection Board
Education
- Hold a tertiary theological or equivalent degree to NZQA level seven.
- Be ordained, commissioned or otherwise fully authorised to officiate on behalf of your sending religious or faith body.
- Have completed five years full-time ministry (or equivalent part-time experience) since ordination.
- Be in good standing, and have the support of your sending faith body.
Fitness & Medical
Citizenship
There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required SV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.
Period of Service
There is no contractual obligation for you to stay in the NZDF for any length of time.
We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.
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Job on Base
As a Chaplain, you will be primarily concerned for the spiritual and pastoral care of the individual, and bring to the RNZN your particular skills, which will include:
- Pastoral care of sailors, civilians, and their families
- Life skills education
- Weddings and military funerals
- Spiritual support
- Chapel services
- Ceremonial services like ANZAC day commemorations
- Religious advice to command
- Advocacy
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Job on Deployment
Chaplains on deployment fulfil many of the same duties as they do in their base. Additional roles may include:
- Providing advice to command on local religious dynamics
- Increasing relationships with host communities via religious connections
- Boosting morale and being a non-anxious presence
- Assisting with critical incident management
Career progression and training
01Basic training
Basic training
(21 weeks) Location: Devonport Naval Base
Junior Officer Common Training (JOCT)
The objective of JOCT is to provide you with the core skills of military, mariner, and leadership to be an effective Officer in the Navy. The course is completed in two phases of training that train key areas of development.
Phase 1 – Introduction
This phase focuses on ‘followership’ and teamwork. Trainees are instructed in basic service knowledge, discipline, parade, and kit preparation. Physical Training will be conducted at all times throughout training to develop a high level of physical and mental fitness that promotes morale, good health, and good habits. This phase will cover various topics including:
- Physical Fitness
- Service Knowledge
- Service Discipline
- Introduction to the Leadership Development Framework
- Damage Control Training
- Weapons Training
- First Aid
- Basic seamanship training
- Moving to advanced application
Phase 2 – Fit for Sea
The second phase of training will focus on attributes of being in the Navy in preparation for operational service at sea. Trainees will be taught about the roles and responsibilities on board an RNZN ship. Trainees will also spend time ashore conducting academic and leadership training to further develop as a Naval Officer. This phase will cover various topics including:
- Sea survival
- Ship familiarisation
- Leadership training
- Communications skills
- Defence and Strategic Studies
02Job training
Job training
NZDF Chaplains are required to be qualified in theological, military and chaplain specialist matters. To ensure you are qualified to appropriate levels, in-house chaplaincy induction training will be conducted in the initial stages of your career with the RNZN.
03Ongoing training
Ongoing training
Opportunities for ongoing professional development include:
- Suicide prevention
- Micro counselling skills
- Prepare / enrich
- Bi-cultural competence
You will also be required to maintain links with your own denomination, attending training events, retreats, and annual conferences as appropriate. Chaplains may also be required to attend suitable military administration and staff courses during their career.
04Career Progression
Career Progression
You will enter the Navy with the support of your Church and remain strongly connected to it. Chaplaincy therefore is an institution of both NZDF and the Church and you will need the on-going support of both.
Chaplains are commissioned as a Chaplain Class 4 (Lieutenant equivalent). Your progress through the Chaplaincy Classes, with each Chaplaincy Class corresponding to an Officer rank level, is based on demonstrated job performance and ongoing professional development, although time in rank does not guarantee progression to the next class.
Benefits & allowances
Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.
In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:
- Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
- Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
- Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
- Opportunities to travel
- Free and subsidised medical and dental care
- Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
- Free and subsidised insurance cover
- Help to buy a home and save for retirement
Salary & benefits
Careers in the Navy are well-rewarded, as well as being diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, you will see your salary rise accordingly.
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Under training
$81,184
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Future potential earnings
$127,277
Am I fit enough?
If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.
Medical & Fitness
The application process
Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.
Application process
Ready to start your Navy career?
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