The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), is a fully integrated military and civilian organisation employing around 9,000 people in the regular force, 2,500 in the territorial force, and approximately 2,500 civilians across the armed services of Navy, Army and Air Force, operating as Three Services as One Force being the best in everything we do.
Civilians are an important part of the Defence Force team, and play a key role in meeting the NZDF’s primary mission, supporting Defence activities at all levels, often bringing specialist expertise and performing a wide range of functions to enhance overall defence capabilities. The NZDF comprises Headquarters, the three Services (Army, Navy and Air Force), and Joint Command. Each part has specific roles and resources to help meet the NZDF mission.The Chief of Defence Force (CDF), the three single Service Chiefs, and the Joint Force Commander, lead the Defence team.
- Head Quarters New Zealand Defence Force
- HQ is the command, policy and administrative centre in Wellington, providing overall direction and management of the whole of NZDF.
- New Zealand Army
- The New Zealand Army provides a land combat force consisting of infantry, light armoured vehicles, and reconnaissance, artillery, engineering, signals and logistic units.
- Royal New Zealand Navy
- The Royal New Zealand Navy is responsible for the maritime defence of New Zealand and its interests, and operates ocean-going frigates, Seasprite helicopters and a replenishment ship. It also has a hydrographic and oceanographic research ship, a diving team, and has the capability to patrol in inshore and offshore waters.
- Royal New Zealand Air Force
- The Royal New Zealand Air Force provides maritime surveillance and reconnaissance using the Orion, Hercules and Boeing aircraft to provide long range and tactical airtransport and Iroquois helicopters which support ground forces and civil authorities.
- Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand
- Joint Forces New Zealand coordinates all joint military operations in New Zealand and overseas, enabling closer co-operation across the three Services in planning and executing operations.
- Veterans Affairs New Zealand
- Veterans Affairs New Zealand (VANZ) is a semi-autonomous body within the NZDF. It is responsible for providing policy advice on, and administration of, a wide range of issues relating to veterans’ entitlements, care and recognition, coordinating commemorative activities, managing government’s relationship with veterans and their representative organisations, and providing ex-service memorials and maintenance of Services Cemeteries throughout New Zealand.