Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Defence Act 1990

The New Zealand Defence Force

13: Members of regular forces

You could also call this:

"Who can be in the New Zealand Defence Force full-time"

Illustration for Defence Act 1990

The regular forces of the New Zealand Defence Force include officers and people with certain roles, such as ratings, soldiers, and aviators, who work full-time in the Navy, Army, or Air Force. You can find more information about this in Part 4. The Minister decides how many officers, ratings, soldiers, and aviators can be in the regular forces at any given time.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM205894.

This page was last updated on — View changes

Topics:
Work and jobs > Job licenses
Previous

12: Joint forces, or

"How the Chief of Defence Force can create a joint team with members from different forces"

Next

14: Members of Civil Staff, or

"What the law says about civilian staff in the defence force"

Part 2The New Zealand Defence Force

13Members of regular forces

  1. The regular forces of the Armed Forces shall, subject to Part 4, consist of such officers and of such ratings, soldiers, and aviators as are for the time being and from time to time appointed, engaged, enlisted, or transferred for continuing full-time service in the Royal New Zealand Navy, the Regular Forces of the Army, or the Regular Air Force.

  2. The maximum numbers of officers, ratings, soldiers, and aviators in the regular forces shall be such as the Minister authorises from time to time.

Notes
  • Section 13(1): amended, on , by section 52 of the Statutes Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 74).
  • Section 13(2): amended, on , by section 52 of the Statutes Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 74).