The NZDF is made up of three services, each playing a unique role: - Navy – A tight-knit crew defending New Zealand’s waters, responding to humanitarian crises, and working on the world’s oceans. - Army – A highly trained team at the frontline of defence, making quick decisions in challenging environments. - Air Force – Skilled crews deploying cutting-edge technology to solve complex challenges and traverse the skies. The NZDF aren’t just soldiers, sailors, and aviators. Over 100 different roles across the three Services means you could be anything from an IT Specialist to an Engineer or a Helicopter Loadmaster, a Warfare Officer or even a Chef on a military base. Whether you’re into tech, healthcare, education, engineering, hospitality, navigation, administration,intelligence, law, logistics, or something different, you’ll find your place in our team. What You Need to Know ✔ Entry Requirements: Some roles require formal qualifications, while others only need three years of secondary school. Some highly skilled positions need NCEA Level 2 or higher. In most cases, you will receive initial military training alongside comprehensive training for your chosen career and ongoing professional development. ✔ Age Limits: Most careers require you to be at least 17 years old before your recruit course. You can register interest at any age but can only apply from 16.5 years old. ✔ Application Timeline: It typically takes between 3 and 18 months from application to intake, depending on factors like medical checks, fitness tests, and intake availability. Some roles only recruit once a year or less. You may need to go through a selection board as part of your application. ✔ Work/Life Balance: NZDF members enjoy a varied career with a sustainable work/life balance. While training, exercises, and deployments can involve long hours, normal workdays are comparable to civilian roles. Plus, Regular Force members get 25 days of annual leave per year. ✔ The NZDF offers a career that is challenging, rewarding, and full of opportunities. Whether at sea, on land, or in the air, you will make a real impact—protecting Aotearoa and its people while developing skills that set you up for life.