New Zealand Defence Force
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF; Māori: Te Ope Kātua o Aotearoa, lit. "Line of Defence of New Zealand") is the three-branched military of New Zealand. The NZDF is responsible for the protection of the national security of New Zealand and her realm, promoting its interests, safeguarding peace and security, as well as supporting peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. It consists of three services: the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), the New Zealand Army and the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), as well as 'tri-service' components. As of June 2023, the NZDF has a strength of 14,996 employees, consisting of 8,669 regular force personnel, 3,260 reserve force personnel and 3,067 civilian members. It is supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MOD) and is commanded by the Chief of Defence Force (CDF).
| New Zealand Defence Force | |
|---|---|
| Te Ope Kātua o Aotearoa (Māori) | |
The NZDF Tri-Service logo | |
| Founded | 1909 |
| Current form | 1990 |
| Service branches | Royal New Zealand Navy New Zealand Army Royal New Zealand Air Force |
| Headquarters | Wellington |
| Website | www |
| Leadership | |
| Head of the Armed Forces | King Charles III |
| Prime Minister | Christopher Luxon |
| Minister of Defence | Judith Collins |
| Chief of Defence Force | Air Marshal Kevin Short |
| Commander-in-Chief | Governor-General Cindy Kiro |
| Personnel | |
| Military age | 17 years of age with parental consent; service members cannot be deployed until 18 (As of September 2017) |
| Available for military service | 955,640 males, age 20-49, 981,050 females, age 20-49 |
| Active personnel | 8,669 (June 2023) |
| Reserve personnel | 3,260 (June 2023) |
| Expenditures | |
| Budget | Total budget for 2022/23 Vote Defence Force (NZD) $4,286,638,000 |
| Percent of GDP | 1.3% |
| Industry | |
| Foreign suppliers | Australia Austria Belgium Canada Italy United Kingdom United States |
| Related articles | |
| History | Military history of New Zealand |
| Ranks | New Zealand military ranks |
The principal roles and tasks expected of the NZDF is to provide a combat capable force to defend New Zealand’s sovereign territory, and protect critical lines of communication. To provide civil defence support, meet whole-of-government security objectives, as well as commitments to allies and partners, support government agencies, protect and promote regional peace, security and resilience in the South Pacific, and uphold the international rules-based order.
The NZDF delivers military effects in support of New Zealand’s national security objectives. It follows a government set defence policy framework that defines its principles, outcomes and priorities. The NZDF is a critical component of New Zealand’s national security system. New Zealand takes an “all-hazards” approach to national security that brings government agencies together to respond to all risks to national security, whether internal or external, human, natural or artificial.
The commander-in-chief is the Governor-General (as the representative of the King of New Zealand). Control of the NZDF is under the Minister of Defence, under the Defence Act 1990. The current Governor-General is Cindy Kiro, and the Minister of Defence is Judith Collins.
Air Marshal Kevin Short was appointed Chief of Defence Force on 1 July 2018. Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies serves as the Vice Chief of Defence Force as of 2018.