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Defence members and whānau

We are here to support our people and the force behind our force - the whānau who contribute to the overall health and wellbeing of our service personnel.

Advice and support services

We offer a range of programs and services to help our Defence members and wider community manage the unique nature of military life.

The back of a sailor that is walking away from the camera holding the hands of two children with each of their hands. Walking towards a ship on the docks at Devonport Naval Base.

A Royal New Zealand Navy sailor with some of their family.

  • Call our helpline for support

    All Defence members and our wider community can contact 0800 NZDF4U (0800 693 348) for 24/7 wellbeing confidential support which includes both telephone and face-to-face support. This includes Regular Force, Civilians, Reserve Force, families and veterans. 

    Call: 0800 NZDF4U (0800 693 348) 

    Contact NZDF4U via text: 8881

    Access NZDF4U from overseas: +64 9 414 9914

    For more information about NZDF4U support services, please visit: https://force4families.mil.nz/nzdf-0800-helpline (external link) 

  • Seek support from Force 4 Families 

    Force 4 Families is a community for the friends and family of New Zealand Defence Force personnel. Check out the support services, assistance and resources available to you and your family: https://force4families.mil.nz/ (external link)

    Force 4 Families can help out by providing:

    • Support and advice
    • Access to discounted services and deals
    • Financial services
    • A community of NZDF friends and family
    • Access to Chaplains, Defence Community Facilitators and Social Workers

  • Receive access to defence health and wellbeing information

    Defence Health is committed to supporting our people and making sure we have a strong healthy Defence Force ready to deploy whenever needed. Our NZDF Health website (external link) has information for Defence personnel and families on all things Health and Wellness.  

    The topics you'll find information on include:

    • Mental health

    • Nutrition

    • Spiritual wellbeing

    • Coping with traumatic events

    • Substance abuse or misuse

    • Sleep

    • Quitting smoking

  • Support for veterans and ex-serving members

    Veterans' Affairs is the government agency that administers veteran entitlements, care, and recognition. 

    Contact the Veterans' Affairs mainline: 0800 483 8372 (0800 4 Veteran), or find out more through the Veterans' Affairs website (external link).

     

  • Connect with the defence community on social media

    Join our Facebook community groups to connect with the wider defence community. These groups are for personnel, family and friends of the New Zealand Defence Force who want to connect with the defence community, and receive updates and announcements from the organisation. You can follow and join the channels by clicking on the links below.

    New Zealand Defence Force Community Group 

    NZDF Community Facebook group (external link) 

    Royal New Zealand Navy Community Group 

     Royal New Zealand Navy Community Facebook group (external link)

    New Zealand Army Community Groups 

    Royal New Zealand Air Force Community Groups 

  • Seek support from Force Financial Hub

    We want our personnel and their families to make good financial decisions. Our Force Financial Hub covers a range of financial benefits available to serving and former Regular Force, Territorial Force/reserve, and civilian personnel and their families, and makes it easy to access these in one place.

    Force Financial Hub provides information on:

    • NZDF Kiwisaver scheme
    • Member Insurance Benefits Programme (MIBP)
    • Mortgage broking and financial advice
    • Financial Capability Training Programme
    • Preferential banking arrangements
    • Wills and other services

  • External help directory 

    There are many helpful resources available in New Zealand that are created specifically to help you.  

    Support can be provided by: 

    • Lifeline Aotearoa, 0800 543 354

    • Healthline 0800 611 116

    • Samaritans, 0800 726 666

    • Contact RSA’s District Support Managers

    Force4Families has put together a directory of the key websites and helplines that we think are relevant for Defence families: https://force4families.mil.nz/help-directory(external link)