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Defence Act 1990

The New Zealand Defence Force

15: Members of territorial forces

You could also call this:

"People in New Zealand's part-time defence forces"

Illustration for Defence Act 1990

The territorial forces are part of the Armed Forces. You can join as an officer or as a rating, soldier, or aviator in the Royal New Zealand Naval Reserve, the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve, the Territorial Force of the New Zealand Army, or the Territorial Air Force. This is subject to the rules in Part 4. The Minister decides the maximum number of officers, ratings, soldiers, and aviators in the territorial forces. You can be appointed, engaged, enlisted, or transferred to serve in these forces.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM205899.

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Part 2The New Zealand Defence Force

15Members of territorial forces

  1. The territorial 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 service in the Royal New Zealand Naval Reserve, the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve, the Territorial Force of the New Zealand Army, or the Territorial Air Force.

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

Notes
  • Section 15(1): amended, on , by section 53 of the Statutes Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 74).
  • Section 15(2): amended, on , by section 53 of the Statutes Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 74).