Armed Forces Discipline Act 1971

Jurisdiction

10: Volunteers

You could also call this:

"Rules for volunteers in the Armed Forces"

Illustration for Armed Forces Discipline Act 1971

If you volunteer or join the Armed Forces for service, training, or exercise, you will be subject to the Armed Forces Discipline Act. This means you have to follow the rules of the Armed Forces during the time you are with them. You will be treated like a member of the Armed Forces, but there may be some exceptions or modifications to the rules that apply to you, as outlined in a Defence Force Order.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM402334.

This page was last updated on 1 January 2026 — View changes

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9: Members of other forces attached to Armed Forces under section 23A of Defence Act 1990, or

"Rules for overseas military members working with New Zealand's Armed Forces"

11: Trainees, or

"Rules for trainees from other countries in the New Zealand Armed Forces"

Part 1Jurisdiction

10Volunteers

Subject to subsection (2), where any person, not otherwise subject to this Act, volunteers or engages for service, training, or exercise with any part of the Armed Forces (not being a person or a member of a class of persons excepted from the provisions of this subsection by Defence Force Order), he shall be subject to this Act during the period of service, training, or exercise.
Subject to any Defence Force Order to the contrary, where, by virtue of this section, this Act applies to a person who is not a member of the Armed Forces, the following provisions shall apply:
if the person holds a rank in an armed force, this Act shall, subject to such exceptions and modifications as may be prescribed, apply to him in the same manner and to the same extent as it applies to a person holding the corresponding rank in the Armed Forces:
in any other case, this Act shall, subject to such exceptions and modifications as may be prescribed, apply to him in the same manner and to the same extent as it applies to a rating of able rank or to a private or a leading aviator classification.

Notes

Section 10(1): amended, on 28 July 1997, by section 4 of the Armed Forces Discipline Amendment Act 1997 (1997 No 34).
Section 10(2): amended, on 28 July 1997, by section 4 of the Armed Forces Discipline Amendment Act 1997 (1997 No 34).
Section 10(2)(b): amended, on 27 November 2025, by section 57 of the Statutes Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 74).