HQNZDF is structured to provide staff, advice, and support to the Chief of Defence Force (CDF) in meeting the CDF’s responsibilities to the Minister of Defence. The main functions of the NZDF are:
- Operational delivery
- Force preparation
- Strategy and planning
- Organisational support.
- Directorate of Human Resource Policy & Capability
- Directorate of Human Resource Service Delivery
- Directorate of Reserves & Cadets
- New Zealand Defence College
- Directorate of Capability Requirements
- Directorate of Capability Development
- Directorate of Capability Programme Support
- Directorate of Logistic Development
- Directorate of Land Facilities Management
- Directorate of Property Rationalisation
- Joint Engineering Management System
- Directorate of Strategic Commitments
- NZDF Defence Advisers/Attachés
- Directorate of Defence Intelligence and Security
- Mutual Assistance Programme
- Finance Branch
- Finance Plans Directorate
- Directorate of Risk and Assurance
- Executive Leadership Team Support
- Directorate of Legal Services
- Communications and Information Systems Branch
- Directorate of Joint Command, Control, Communications and Information Systems
- Joint Logistics and Support Organisation (JLSO)
- Defence Technology Agency
- Programme and Change Management Office
- Defence Communications Group
- Directorate of Defence Health
- Directorate of Services