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Defence Act 1990

Terms and conditions of service in the armed forces - Appointments and enlistments

33: Appointment, enlistment, and engagement

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"How to Join the Defence Force"

Illustration for Defence Act 1990

You cannot join the Navy, Army, or Air Force if you are under 17 years old. You can join if you are a New Zealand citizen or a citizen of another Commonwealth country. You can also join if you are from another country, but you need permission from the Chief of Defence Force, and you must follow the rules set out in section 36 and Defence Force Orders.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM206039.

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Part 4Terms and conditions of service in the armed forces
Appointments and enlistments

33Appointment, enlistment, and engagement

  1. No person who is under 17 years may be appointed to, or enlisted or engaged in, the Navy, the Army, or the Air Force.

  2. Subject to subsection (1), section 36, and Defence Force Orders, the following persons may, in the prescribed manner, be appointed to, or enlisted or engaged in, the Navy, the Army, or the Air Force:

  3. a New Zealand citizen or a citizen of any other Commonwealth country:
    1. any other person with the prior consent of the Chief of Defence Force.

      Notes
      • Section 33: substituted, on , by section 3 of the Defence Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 62).