FAQs

One of the key things about life in the NZDF is that your job will vary and you will be doing many different things. The NZDF is also passionate about its members maintaining a sustainable work/life balance. Work hours are comparable to a normal 9-5 job. However, during initial training, field exercises, and on operation, you will be expected to work longer hours. NZDF regular force members are entitled to a generous 25 days annual leave per year.

Once you've completed your initial training courses, you could find yourself deployed overseas, either on a foreign exchange or on exercise or operation. This sometimes happens very shortly after training. Travel is an exciting part of being a member of the NZDF. Generally, joining the Navy gives you the highest chance of being deployed overseas and experiencing different cultures out of uniform.

Most likely yes. Career Managers make an effort to accommodate your posting preferences and personal situation, but organisational requirements come first, and personnel may be required to move to different locations depending on where personnel and resources are required. A posting cycle is typically 2-3 years.

During recruit training you will have to live on base. After recruit training there is no requirement to live on base.

No, the majority of personnel live off base in private accommodation.

Yes. Mobile phones are allowed in the Defence Force, but use is not permitted in some occasions. For example when on operations or exercise or during parts of your initial training.

The NZDF expects a high standard of personal conduct, physical fitness, dress and discipline. It may take a little getting used to at first, but once you settle into a routine of daily life, your confidence and self-discipline will allow you to handle whatever comes your way.

We hold regular Force Information evenings all around New Zealand.  These are free open information sessions for yourself and your family to find out more about the Defence Force and ask questions of our uniformed personnel. You can view upcoming dates and locations on our website and on our Facebook page.

Downtime can be spent however you wish. As an NZDF member it is important your personal conduct on and off duty is responsible, respectful and appropriate. If you are going to be consuming alcohol we encourage our personnel to drink responsibly, organise safe and sober transport home after a night out, and to look out for each other’s safety and well-being.

You can make your application more competitive by increasing your personal fitness and achieving a high level of fitness at your entry level fitness test. Team sports, cultural and extra-curricular activities, also look good on your application. Having a detailed understanding of your trade, service, training pipeline, and recent NZDF operations will help you during the interview.

The NZDF requires its personnel to maintain a good level of fitness, but encourage its members to maintain an excellent level of fitness, and allows some flexibility regarding exercising during working hours to support this. Some trades have compulsory PT multiple times per week (Diver, Infantry etc). For other less physical trades, it is your responsibility to maintain at least the minimum level of fitness required for your service, age and gender to pass annual or biannual fitness tests, so that you are ready and able to perform if you are called upon to deploy on operations.

You can only apply via this website. If this presents a real difficulty to you and you need to speak to somebody, please call us on 0800 1 FORCE (0800 136 723).

The NZDF has multiple sportsmen and women who compete at a national and international level while fulfilling their regular duties. If you compete at a high level in any kind of sport, we will usually allow you the opportunity to compete. Team work and the drive to win are core values to the NZDF so we encourage all personnel to get involved in team sports.

Yes, sometimes. While carrying a backpack can be challenging, it is by no means an unachievable task. The physical training that is conducted during your initial training course is designed to gradually prepare you for carrying your equipment. You will be instructed on how to correctly set-up and wear your pack to minimise the risk of injury, and there are guidelines for personnel regarding the lifting and carrying of weights. The requirement to carry packs or loads differs between the services.

Navy

As a general rule, a pack is not worn in the work environment. Packs or heavy loads may be incorporated into some aspects of initial training, emergency drills, physical fitness and some adventure training.

Army

There is a requirement to carry loads, such as packs, at certain times during your recruit and ongoing unit training. Depending on your career path, and your location of posting, you may be required to carry packs for short periods of time during activities such as training exercises, physical fitness training and on operations.

Air Force

During stages of your recruit training you will be required to carry a pack.

If you fail an entry level fitness test your entire application is not rejected, it is merely put on hold until you pass the entry level fitness test. There is no stand-down period, you could re-sit the test the following day if another test happened to be scheduled. However, after failing an entry level fitness test we recommend you set goals and allow yourself a reasonable timeframe to achieve them before resitting the fitness test.

There is a limit to the number of times you can attempt the aptitude testing. If you fail on your first attempt you will have to wait 3 months before sitting the test again. If you fail on your second attempt you will have to wait 12 months before sitting your third and final attempt. 

This stand-down period allows you time to personally upskill in the areas that you are weak at. If you are focusing on academic study to upskill your knowledge, talk to your Candidate Engagement Facilitator to see what is best for you.  

The third attempt is your final opportunity to pass the assessment. If you do not pass, we will be unable to proceed with your application. Take the time to upskill yourself in the areas that you are weak in.

*The NZDF allows a maximum of three attempts at its entry-level aptitude tests. This limit applies regardless of the entry-level tests attempted. For example, a candidate who has completed the old handwritten tests once before would only be able to attempt the new Aptitude Tests an additional 2 times.

No, signing the Offer of Service places you under no obligation. However, once you enlist (attest), you become liable to serve the period of your engagement. You have the right to apply for release (resign) at any time during your engagement. After recruit training, the normal notice period for release is three months.

A Return Of Service Obligation (ROSO) is a contractual commitment by yourself to remain in the NZDF for a specified period of time. ROSOs are associated to courses or training that require a significant investment of funding or resources by the NZDF, for example our Pilot Course and Tertiary Scholarship Schemes. Prior to joining, you will be informed if the initial training and career pathway you intend to conduct has any associated ROSOs.  The details of your ROSO will be stated on your Offer of Service.

Yes. If your application is denied for medical reasons, you can get the decision reconsidered. Request a reconsideration form from your Candidate Engagement Facilitator and send it to the address enclosed with supporting documents like a report from your general practitioner or specialist doctor (Note: this must be received within 4 weeks of the day you were notified your application was denied, and you are responsible for any costs associated to your own medical reports). This will be reconsidered by a senior NZDF Doctor. You may be declined again or given a stand-down period before you can reapply.

Yes. The NZDF has a strong focus on being an operational defence force. NZDF personnel must be fit and ready for deployment when required. There is no guarantee of a deployment but all personnel must be able to.