Punjab-born soldier’s passion for service in the New Zealand Army

Lance Corporal Bajaj, second-in-command with 3rd Supply and Catering Company at Burnham Military Camp, came to Auckland as a young man armed with several languages and dialects. 

He joined Ngāti Tūmatauenga ,the New Zealand Army aged 28, having worked as a petrol station attendant, taxi driver, butcher shop employee and security guard. 

He was undertaking fitness and sport studies in Christchurch when a chance encounter changed everything.

“I met some Army personnel, and I really liked what I saw,” he said. 

“They told me, ‘You’d be perfect for the Army.’ I was already into fitness, so I thought—why not give it a go?” 

The catering specialist is now serving with 3^rd Combat Service Support Battalion. 

Lance Corporal Bajaj said he had always thrown himself wholeheartedly into whatever he does, but the Army pushed him further. 

“It drives you to keep improving not just physically, but mentally and professionally,” he said.

As the second-in-command of his unit, Lance Corporal Bajaj plays a key leadership role, ready to deploy wherever needed.

Following Cyclone Gabrielle, his team was dispatched to Napier and Hastings to provide catering support for military personnel during recovery efforts. They conducted similar work for firefighters during the Port Hills fire in 2024.

He has recently returned from an exercise in Papua New Guinea. In 2022, Lance Corporal Bajaj was part of the New Zealand Defence Force contingent to London to mark the late Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne. 

He said he fields a lot of questions about life in the Army.

“Is it supportive? Is there any racism? What do they expect of you? What’s the pay like?

“I tell them, ‘The uniform doesn’t ask where you’re from—only what you stand for. You may be born in a different country, but your courage will serve you anywhere’.

“You get world-class training, and you grow stronger mentally, physically, and emotionally, all while serving your country and helping the community.”

Lance Corporal Bajaj received four battalion awards at the end of 2025, including the coveted Commanding Officer and Regimental Sergeant Major’s Award. He also received Top Soldier, Junior Leader and Warrior Awards.

Lance Corporal Bajaj sees himself as a role model for his community.

“I believe my achievements represent the positive contribution of the Indian community in Aotearoa,” he said.

“I want to let young people from migrant backgrounds know that commitment, discipline and service are valued in the New Zealand Defence Force.

“One soldier, two nations. If I can do it, so can you.”