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New Zealand law explained for everyone

Defence Act 1990

The New Zealand Defence Force

23B: Mutual powers of command when forces acting together

You could also call this:

"Working with other countries' forces: following each other's orders"

Illustration for Defence Act 1990

When you are in the New Zealand Defence Force and working with a force from another country, you treat their members like they are part of your team with a similar rank. They also have the power to give orders to you if they have a higher rank. You only work together with another country's force if the Chief of Defence Force says so. This rule helps when forces from different countries are working together.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM206014.

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23A: Attachment of members of other armed forces to New Zealand Armed Forces, or

"Working with New Zealand Armed Forces from another country"

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"The Secretary of Defence is the main person who helps the Minister of Defence make big decisions."

Part 2The New Zealand Defence Force

23BMutual powers of command when forces acting together

  1. When a New Zealand force and a force of another State are serving together, whether alone or not, members of the other force—

  2. must be treated as if they were members of the Armed Forces of a relative rank; and
    1. have over members of the New Zealand force the powers of command of a member of the Armed Forces of a relative rank.

      1. For the purpose of subsection (1), a New Zealand force and a force of another State are serving together only if they are declared to be so serving together by order of the Chief of Defence Force.

      Notes
      • Section 23B: inserted, on , by section 26 of the Visiting Forces Act 2004 (2004 No 59).