Welcome to NZDF

Every hour of every day, 365 days a year, the New Zealand Defence Force is contributing to the defence, security and well-being of Aotearoa/New Zealand. It is our goal to maintain well-trained and equipped armed forces that can react to crisis at short notice. We work in partnership with many other government agencies helping people and protecting our territory and our oceans. Regular Force, Reservists and Civilians – together we are a Force for New Zealand.

Latest News

New Zealand Defence Force personnel working as part of an Anzac training force in Iraq have helped train more than 24,000 Iraqi Security Forces in the past two years. Photo credit: Australian Defence Force

Eleven per cent of the New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) regular force personnel are currently serving or training overseas, with personnel on six of the seven continents.

Major General Tim Gall, the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, said about 500 servicemen and women were supporting 15 operations overseas, while another 500 were taking part in multinational exercises.

NZDF Personnel Deployed Far and Wide Overseas

Photo credit: Australian Defence Force