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• Does the NZDF have a superannuation scheme and will I be eligible to join?

  The NZDF no longer has its own superannuation scheme, but instead offers recruits the option to join Kiwisaver. The NZDF pays an employer contribution of 4% on top of your personal contribution from 3% to 10%.

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• Do women have equal opportunities to access courses and gain promotions?

  Yes. Access to courses and promotion are based on performance and course availability and do not prejudice any gender. There are multiple women in senior staff/leadership roles.

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• What leadership roles can I perform in the NZDF?

  Leadership roles are available to all trades in every service. As the NZDF is relatively small compared to other militaries, leadership skills are taught early because we need our personnel to be flexible and capable of leading, sometimes at junior ranks.

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• Do I have to tell a new employer that I am a Reservist?

  No. It is at your discretion to tell a new employer if you are a member of the Army Reserve or Naval Reserve. However, we encourage you to be open with your employer or a potential employer. The Volunteers Employment Protection Act 1973 makes it an offence for an employer to discriminate against, disadvantage, or dismiss an employee or prospective employee for rendering service in the Reserve Force. No one from the NZDF will contact your employer without your prior consent.

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• As a Reservist, will I continue to accrue annual leave while I am on Military Leave?

  Yes, being granted Military Leave provisions under the Volunteers Employment Protection Act 1973 means that your normal employment is viewed as uninterrupted and you are entitled to accrue your normal leave entitlement.

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• Will I have to live on base?

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

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• What are the NZDF’s core values?

  Our core values are:

  • Courage | Tū Kaha - Taking action despite your fears.
  • Commitment | Tū Tika - Giving your best.
  • Comradeship | Tū Tira - Respecting and looking out for each other.
  • Integrity | Tū Maia - Doing the right thing – always.

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• As a Reservist, is my civilian employment protected by law?

  Yes, the Volunteers Employment Protection Act 1973 allows Reserve Forces personnel to perform their military duties without risking their normal employment and entitlements.

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• Can I continue playing sport to competitive level while in the NZDF?

  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.

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• My application to join was declined for medical reasons I disagree with, is there a process to have this reconsidered?

  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.

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• How can I make my application more competitive?

  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.

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• Will joining the NZDF allow me to travel overseas?

  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.

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• What entitlements can I get to help me join the NZDF?

  If your application is successful, and once you have accepted your Offer of Service, you may be entitled to some benefits to aid with your entry:

  • Duty Travel for you and your family, from your bona fide home to your new posting location.
  • Household removals funding/partial funding.
  • Accommodation during relocation to your new posting location.

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• Can I transfer my UK pension to the NZDF?

  There is no ability to transfer your military pension into an NZDF scheme. The NZDF no longer has its own pension scheme, rather NZDF personnel pay into the national Kiwisaver scheme. NZDF employees pay a minimum of 3% of their salary and the NZDF matches that with 4%. The pay listed on NZDF’s offer of service includes employer Kiwisaver contributions. More details can be found at the link www.kiwisaver.govt.nz

  You may transfer your pension to your Kiwisaver scheme, however we strongly encourage you to seek professional advice regarding this.

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• How long does the police check take?

  It can take up to 30 days. If you have lived overseas for longer than six months, you will need to provide a Police check from that country. Your Candidate Engagement Facilitator can give you some guidance on how to do this.

  If you are re-enlisting and have lived overseas for longer than six months since leaving the NZDF, you will need to provide a police check from that country.

  If you are from overseas, you will need to provide a police check for any country that you have lived in.

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• After resigning and leaving the NZDF, can I be recalled?

  No. However, when renewing your Offer of Service after your period of engagement (usually 15 years), this may be included in your new Offer of Service.

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• Will I have to carry heavy backpacks?

  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.

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• How much leave am I entitled to?

  The annual leave entitlement is 25 days per year for all service personnel. In addition to annual leave there are over 20 other categories of leave that you can apply for. These include study leave, representational leave, household removal leave, sick leave, and bereavement leave among others. The most common form of additional leave besides statutory holidays, is stand-down leave (for respite after long operations and intensive work periods) and equivalent leave (for working weekends and statutory holidays).

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• Can I continue to breast-feed after returning from parental leave?

  Nursing mothers may be able to make arrangements with their commanders and managers to establish an appropriate location for breast-feeding and expressing milk. However, personal needs must always be balanced with high priority unit activities or operational activities.

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• Do most service members live in service housing?

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

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