Defence Act 1990

Cadet forces

74: Constitution of cadet forces

You could also call this:

"Rules for New Zealand's Cadet Forces"

The Minister can create and keep cadet forces, which include the Sea Cadet Corps, the New Zealand Cadet Corps, and the Air Training Corps. You need to know that these cadet forces are under the direction of the Chief of Defence Force. The Minister can decide how many units are in each corps and can create new units or disband old ones. The Minister can also decide how many people are in each unit. You are part of the cadet forces if you are in the Sea Cadet Corps, the New Zealand Cadet Corps, or the Air Training Corps. If you were already in a cadet force before this law started, you can still be in it. The cadet forces are run under the Defence Act, you can find more information about the Defence Amendment Act 1997 and the Defence Amendment Act 2003 on the legislation website.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM206475.

This page was last updated on 14 December 2025 — View changes

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73F: Chief of Defence Force may establish compulsory scheme for members of Armed Forces, or

"Defence Force members may have to join a superannuation scheme"

75: Personnel of cadet forces, or

"Who is in the cadet forces in New Zealand?"

Part 6Cadet forces

74Constitution of cadet forces

The Minister may from time to time raise and maintain cadet forces comprising the Sea Cadet Corps, the New Zealand Cadet Corps, and the Air Training Corps.
The cadet forces referred to in subsection (1) must be maintained under the direction of the Chief of Defence Force.
The Minister may from time to time—
determine the number of units comprising—
1. the Sea Cadet Corps; or
2. the New Zealand Cadet Corps; or
3. the Air Training Corps; or
4. any combination of those corps; and
authorise and direct the formation of a unit that is a unit of any of those corps or any combination of them, and determine or approve the size of the unit’s membership; and
authorise or direct the disbanding of any such unit.

All cadet forces raised and maintained under the Defence Act 1971 and in being immediately before the commencement of this Act shall continue in being as if they had been raised under this section.

Notes

Section 74(1): substituted, on 28 July 1997, by section 17(1) of the Defence Amendment Act 1997 (1997 No 41).
Section 74(1A): inserted, on 28 July 1997, by section 17(1) of the Defence Amendment Act 1997 (1997 No 41).
Section 74(2)(a): substituted, on 22 October 2003, by section 5 of the Defence Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 69).
Section 74(2)(b): substituted, on 22 October 2003, by section 5 of the Defence Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 69).
Section 74(2)(c): added, on 28 July 1997, by section 17(2) of the Defence Amendment Act 1997 (1997 No 41).