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New Zealand Army

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New Zealand Army
Māori:Ngāti Tūmatauenga
Founded1845;179 years ago(1845)
Country
BranchArmy
RoleLand warfare
Size4,234 (Regular)[1]
2,065 (Reserve)
Part ofNew Zealand Defence Force
Garrison/HQWellington
ColoursRed and black
AnniversariesAnzac Day,25 April
EquipmentList of equipment of the New Zealand Army
EngagementsFlagstaff War
First Taranaki War
Second Taranaki War
Invasion of the Waikato
East Cape War
Tītokowaru's War
Te Kooti's War
Second Boer War
First World War
Second World War
Malayan Emergency
Korean War
Borneo Confrontation
Vietnam War
Operation Midford
East Timor
Solomon Islands
Afghanistan
Operation Astute
Websitehttps://www.nzdf.mil.nz/army/
Commanders
Commander-in-ChiefGovernor-GeneralDame Alcyion Cynthia Kiro,as representative ofCharles IIIasKing of New Zealand
Chief of Defence ForceAir Marshal Tony Davies
Chief of ArmyMajor GeneralJohn Boswell
Insignia
Logo
Wartime flag

TheNew Zealand Army(Māori:Ngāti Tūmatauenga,"Tribe of theGod of War"[2]) is the principalland warfare forceofNew Zealand,a component of theNew Zealand Defence Forcealongside theRoyal New Zealand Navyand theRoyal New Zealand Air Force.

Formed in 1845, as theNew Zealand Military Forces,the Army traces its history from settler militia raised in that same year.[3]The current name was adopted by the New Zealand Army Act 1950.[4]

During its history, the New Zealand Army has fought in a number of major wars, including theSecond Boer War,theFirstandSecond World Wars,Korean War,theMalayan Emergency,Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation,Vietnam War,and more recently inIraqandAfghanistan.

Since the 1970s, deployments have tended to be assistance to multilateral peacekeeping efforts. Considering the small size of the force, operational commitments have remained high since the start of theEast Timordeployment in 1999. New Zealand personnel also served in severalUNandotherpeacekeepingmissions including theRegional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands,theSinai,South SudanandSudan.[5]

History[edit]

Further information:Military history of New Zealand

Colonial conflicts[edit]

Main article:Volunteer Force (New Zealand)

War had been an integral part of the life and culture of theMāori,even prior to European contact. TheMusket Warscontinued this trend and dominated the first years of European trade and settlement.

The first European settlers in theBay of Islandsformed a volunteer militia from which some New Zealand Army units trace their origins. British forces and Māori fought in variousNew Zealand Warsstarting in 1843, and culminating in theInvasion of the Waikatoin the mid-1860s, during which colonial forces were used with great effect. From the 1870s, the numbers of Imperial (British) troops was reduced, leaving settler units to continue the campaign.

The first permanent military force was the Colonial Defence Force, which was active in 1862. This was replaced in 1867 by the Armed Constabulary, which performed both military and policing roles. After being renamed the New Zealand Constabulary Force, it was divided into separate military and police forces in 1886. The military force was called the Permanent Militia and later renamed the Permanent Force.

Second Boer War[edit]

MajorAlfred William Robinled the First Contingent sent from New Zealand to South Africa to participate in theBoer Warin October 1899.[6]The New Zealand Army sent ten contingents in total (including the4th New Zealand Contingent), of which the first six were raised and instructed by Lieutenant ColonelJoseph Henry Banks,who led the 6th Contingent into battle. These were mounted riflemen, and the first contingents had to pay to go, providing their own horses, equipment and weapons.

New Zealand troops landing stores,GallipoliinWWI.

The Defence Act 1909, which displaced the oldvolunteer system,remodelled the defences of the dominion on a territorial basis, embodying the principles of universal service between certain ages. It provided for a territorial force, or fighting strength, fully equipped for modern requirements, of thirty thousand men. These troops, with the territorial reserve, formed the first line; and the second line comprised rifle clubs and training sections. Under the terms of the Act, every male, unless physically unfit, was required to take his share of the defence of the dominion. The Act provided for the gradual military training of every male from the age of 14 to 25, after which he was required to serve in the reserve up to the age of thirty. From the age of 12 to 14, every boy at school performed a certain amount of military training, and, on leaving, was transferred to the senior cadets, with whom he remained, undergoing training, until 18 years of age, when he joined the territorials. After serving in the territorials until 25 (or less if earlier reliefs were recommended), and in the reserve until 30, a discharge was granted; but the man remained liable under the Militia Act to be called up, until he reached the age of 55. As a result of Lord Kitchener's visit to New Zealand in 1910, slight alterations were made—chiefly affecting the general and administrative staffs, and which included the establishment of theNew Zealand Staff Corps—and the scheme was set in motion in January, 1911. Major-General Sir Alexander Godley, of the Imperial General Staff, was engaged as commandant.

First World War[edit]

Main article:Military history of New Zealand in World War I
New Zealand soldiers in France during 1917

Following the outbreak of theFirst World War,New Zealand raised the initially all volunteerNew Zealand Expeditionary Force(NZEF) for service overseas. A smaller expeditionary force, theSamoa Expeditionary Force,was tasked to occupyGerman Samoa,which it achieved without resistance.[7]

The NZEF would be sent to Egypt and would participate in theGallipoli Campaignunder theAustralian and New Zealand Army Corps(ANZAC). TheNew Zealand Divisionwas then formed which fought on the Western Front and theNew Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigadefought in Palestine. After Major General Godley departed with the NZEF in October 1914, Major GeneralAlfred William Robincommanded New Zealand Military Forces at home throughout the war, as commandant.

The total number of New Zealand troops and nurses to serve overseas in 1914–1918, excluding those in British and other dominion forces, was 100,000, from a population of just over a million. Forty-two percent of men of military age served in the NZEF. 16,697 New Zealanders were killed and 41,317 were wounded during the war—a 58 percent casualty rate. Approximately a further thousand men died within five years of the war's end, as a result of injuries sustained, and 507 died whilst training in New Zealand between 1914 and 1918. New Zealand had one of the highest casualty—and death—rates per capita of any country involved in the war.

Second World War[edit]

Main article:Military history of New Zealand during World War II

During theSecond World War,the2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force(I.E.2nd Division) fought inGreece,Crete,theWestern Desert campaignand theItalian campaign.Among its units was the famed 28thMāori Battalion.Following Japan's entry into the war,3rd Division,2 NZEF IP (in Pacific) saw action in the Pacific, seizing a number of islands from the Japanese. New Zealanders contributed to various Allied special forces units, such as the originalLong Range Desert Groupin North Africa andZ Forcein the Pacific.

Maori men kneeling, performing the haka
Maori troops performing a haka in North Africa during July 1941

As part of the preparations for the possible outbreak of war in the Pacific, the defensive forces stationed in New Zealand were expanded in late 1941. On 1 November, three newbrigadeheadquarters were raised (taking the total in the New Zealand Army to seven), and three divisional headquarters were established to coordinate the units located in the Northern, Central and Southern Military Districts.[8]The division in theNorthern Military Districtwas designated the Northern Division,[9]and comprised the1stand12th Brigade Groups.[10]Northern Division later became1st Division.4th Divisionwas established in the Central Military District (with2ndand 7th brigades), and5thin the south (with 3rd, 10th and 11th brigades).

The forces stationed in New Zealand were considerably reduced as the threat of invasion passed. During early 1943, each of the three home defence divisions were cut from 22,358 to 11,530 men. The non-divisional units suffered even greater reductions.[11]The New Zealand government ordered a general stand-down of the defensive forces in the country on 28 June, which led to further reductions in the strength of units and a lower state of readiness.[12]By the end of the year, almost all of the Territorial Force personnel had been demobilised (though they retained their uniforms and equipment), and only 44 soldiers were posted to the three divisional and seven brigade headquarters.[13]The war situation continued to improve, and the 4th Division, along with the other two divisions and almost all the remaining Territorial Force units, was disbanded on 1 April 1944.[13][14]

The 6th New Zealand Division was also briefly formed as a deception formation by renaming the NZ camp atMaadiin southernCairo,the New Zealanders' base area in Egypt, in 1942.[15]In addition, the1st Army Tank Brigade (New Zealand)was also active for a time.

Cold War[edit]

Post-War[edit]

The New Zealand Army was formally formed from the New Zealand Military Forces following the Second World War. Attention focused on preparing a third Expeditionary Force potentially for service against the Soviets.Compulsory military trainingwas introduced to man the force, which was initially division-sized. The New Zealand Army Act 1950 stipulated that the Army would consist from then on of Army Troops (army headquarters, Army Schools, and base units); District Troops (Northern Military District,Central and Southern Military Districts, the 12 subordinate area HQs, elementary training elements, coastal artillery and composite AA regiments); and the New Zealand Division, the mobile striking force.[16]The division was alternatively known as '3NZEF'.

Korean War[edit]

The Army's first combat after the Second World War was in theKorean War,which began with North Korea's invasion of the South on 25 June 1950. After some debate, on 26 July 1950, theNew Zealand governmentannounced it would raise a volunteer military force to serve with theUnited Nations Commandin Korea. The idea was opposed initially byChief of the General Staff,Major-GeneralKeith Lindsay Stewart,who did not believe the force would be large enough to be self-sufficient. His opposition was overruled and the government raised what was known asKayforce,a total of 1,044 men selected from among volunteers.16th Field Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artilleryand support elements arrived later during the conflict from New Zealand. The force arrived atPusanon New Year's Eve, and on 21 January, joined the British27th Infantry Brigaderepresenting the1st Commonwealth Division,along with Australian, Canadian, and Indian forces. The New Zealanders immediately saw combat and spent the next two and a half years taking part in the operations which led theUnited Nationsforces back to and over the 38th Parallel, later recapturingSeoulin the process.

The majority of Kayforce had returned to New Zealand by 1955, though it was not until 1957 that the last New Zealand soldiers had left Korea. In all, about 4700 men served with Kayforce.[17]

In 1957, the9th Coast Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery,was reduced to acadrealong with the other coastal artillery regiments (10thand11th).[18][19]Personnel were gradually run down until there was only a single supervisory District Gunner. All three were disbanded in 1967.

Irregular Warfare[edit]

Through the 1950s, New Zealand Army forces were deployed to theMalayan Emergency,and theConfrontation with Indonesia.ASpecial Air Servicesquadron was raised for this commitment, but most forces came from the New Zealand infantry battalion in the Malaysia–Singapore area. The battalion was committed to theFar East Strategic Reserve.[20]

The 1957 national government defence review directed the discontinuation of coastal defence training, and the approximately 1000 personnel of the 9th, 10th, and 11th coastal regimentsRoyal New Zealand Artilleryhad their compulsory military training obligation removed. A small cadre of regulars remained, but as Henderson, Green, and Cook say, 'the coastal artillery had quietly died.'[21]All the fixed guns were dismantled and sold for scrap by the early 1960s. After 1945, theValentine tanksin service were eventually replaced by about tenM41 Walker Bulldogs,supplemented by a small number ofCenturion tanks.Eventually, both were superseded byFV101 Scorpionarmoured reconnaissance vehicles.

Vietnam War[edit]

Main article:Military history of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment during the Vietnam War
New Zealand soldier from W Company, RNZIR patrols in Vietnam, 1968

New Zealand sent troops to theVietnam Warin 1964 because ofCold Warconcerns and alliance considerations.

Initial contributions were a New Zealand team of non-combat army engineers in 1964 followed by a battery from the Royal New Zealand Artillery in 1965 which served initially with the Americans until the formation of the1st Australian Task Forcein 1966. Thereafter, the battery served with the task force until 1971.

Two Companies ofNew Zealand infantry,Whisky Company and Victor Company, served with the 1st Australian Task Force from 1967 until 1971. Some also served with the Australian and New Zealand Army Training teams until 1972.

NZ SAS arrived in 1968 and served with the Australian SAS until the Australian and New Zealand troop withdrawal in 1971.

Members from various branches of the NZ Army also served with U.S and Australian air and cavalry detachments as well as in intelligence, medical, and engineering.[22]In all, 3850 military personnel from all military branches of service served in Vietnam. New Zealand infantry accounted for approximately 1600 and the New Zealand artillery battery accounted for approximately 750.

Peacekeeping operations[edit]

The New Zealand Division was disbanded in 1961, as succeeding governments reduced the force, first to two brigades, and then a single one.[23]This one-brigade force became, in the 1980s, the Integrated Expansion Force, to be formed by producing three composite battalions from the six Territorial Force infantry regiments. In 1978, a national museum for the Army, theQEII Army Memorial Museum,was built atWaiouru,the Army's main training base in the centralNorth Island.

After the 1983 Defence Review, the Army's command structure was adjusted to distinguish more clearly the separate roles of operations and base support training. There was an internal reorganisation within the Army General Staff, and New Zealand Land Forces Command in Takapuna was split into a Land Force Command and a Support Command.[24]Land Force Command,which from then on comprised 1st Task Force in the North Island and the 3rd Task Force in the South Island, assumed responsibility for operational forces, Territorial Force manpower management and collective training.Support Commandwhich from then on comprised three elements, the Army Training Group in Waiouru, the Force Maintenance Group (FMG) based in Linton, and Base Area Wellington (BAW) based in Trentham, assumed responsibility for individual training, third line logistics and base support. Headquarters Land Force Command remained at Takapuna, and Headquarters Support Command was moved to Palmerston North.

The Army was prepared to field a Ready Reaction Force which was a battalion group based on 2/1 RNZIR; the Integrated Expansion Force (17 units) brigade sized, which would be able to follow up 90 days after mobilization; and a Force Maintenance Group of 19 units to provide logistical support to both forces.[25]

The battalion in South East Asia, designated 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment by that time, was brought home in 1989.

In the late 1980s, Exercise Golden Fleece was held in the North Island. It was the largest exercise for a long period.[26]

During the later part of the 20th century, New Zealand personnel served in a large number of UN and other peacekeeping deployments including:

In 1994, the Army was granted a status ofiwidomas "NgātiTūmatauenga"with the blessings of theMāori QueenTe Atairangikaahuand surrounding tribes of the base in Waiouru: Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Tuhoe.[2]

Recent history (1999–present)[edit]

A member of 1 RNZIR in East Timor during 2007
New Zealand soldiers in Afghanistan 2009

In the 21st century, New Zealanders have served inEast Timor(1999 onwards),[35]Afghanistan,and Iraq.[36]

NZDF forces have also been involved in international Peacekeeping actions such asRegional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands(2003–2015),United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan(2003–),United Nations Mine Action Coordination Centrein Southern Lebanon (2007–2008), andUnited Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan(2011.)

In 2003, the New Zealand government decided to replace its existing fleet ofM113 armoured personnel carriers,purchased in the 1960s, with the Canadian-builtNZLAV,[37]and the M113s were decommissioned by the end of 2004. An agreement made to sell the M113s via an Australian weapons dealer in February 2006 had to be cancelled when the US State Department refused permission for New Zealand to sell the M113s under a contract made when the vehicles were initially purchased.[38]The replacement of the M113s with the General Motors LAV III (NZLAV) led to a review in 2001 on the purchase decision-making by New Zealand's auditor-general. The review found shortcomings in the defence acquisition process, but not in the eventual vehicle selection. In 2010, the government said it would look at the possibility of selling 35 LAVs, around a third of the fleet, as being surplus to requirements.[39]

On 4 September 2010, in the aftermath of the2010 Canterbury earthquake,the New Zealand Defence Force deployed to the worst affected areas of Christchurch to aid in relief efforts and assist NZ police in enforcing a night time curfew at the request of Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker and Prime Minister John Key.[40][41]

Military members fromCanadaandNew Zealandgreet each other at the Ukraine Security Consultative Group atRamstein Air Base,Germany, April 26, 2022.

On the 21st of March, 2022, New Zealand announced that it would provide NZ$5 million for the purpose of non-lethal military equipment throughNATOtoUkraine,following theRussian invasion of Ukraine.[42]In addition, several surplus army equipment was donated, including 473Enhanced Combat Helmets,1,066 body armour plates and 571 flak vests and webbing. On the 11th of April this was followed by dispatching 50 troops toGermany,Belgiumand theUnited Kingdom,primarily for logistics and intelligence purposes as a partner ofNATO.On the 23rd May 2022 it was announced that the Army was to send 30 soldiers to the United Kingdom to assist in training Ukrainian forces on theL119 light gunas part ofOperation Interflex.[43][44]This was in addition to providing 40 gun sights and ammunition for training purposes. It was announced that further analysists were sent to the United Kingdom on the 27th of June 2022. On the 15th of August, the NZDF announced it would send 120 army instructors to the United Kingdom, for the purposes of training basic infantry. The training is based on an expedited variant of the British Army's basic soldier course, covering weapon handling, combat first aid, operational law and other soldier skills.

At no point were New Zealand forces deployed within Ukraine itself.

Structure[edit]

Main article:Structure of the New Zealand Army

The New Zealand Army is commanded by theChief of Army(Chief of the General Staff until 2002), who is amajor generalor two-star appointment. As of 10 September 2018,the current Chief of Army is Major General John Boswell. The Chief of Army has responsibility for raising, training and sustaining those forces necessary to meet agreed government outputs. For operations, the Army's combat units fall under the command of the Land Component Commander, who is on the staff of the COMJFNZ atHeadquarters Joint Forces New Zealandat Trentham in Upper Hutt. Forces under the Land Component Commander include the1st Brigade,Training and Doctrine Command,[45]and the Joint Support Group (including health, military police).

Structure of the New Zealand Army 2020[46]

No. 3 Squadron RNZAFprovides tactical air transport.

Land Training and Doctrine Group

  • Land Operations Training Centre Waiouru encompasses the main army trade schools:
    • Combat School
    • School of Artillery
    • Logistics Operations School
    • School of Tactics
    • Royal New Zealand School of Signals
    • School of Military Intelligence and Security
    • Trade Training School (Trentham)
    • School of Military Engineering, 2 Engineer Regiment (Linton)

Regiments and corps of the New Zealand Army[edit]

Main article:List of New Zealand Army Corps

The following is a list of theCorpsof the New Zealand Army, ordered according to the traditional seniority of all the Corps.[47]

Army Reserve[edit]

The Territorial Force (TF), the long established reserve component of the New Zealand Army, has as of 2009–2010 been renamed the Army Reserve, in line with other Commonwealth countries, though the term "Territorial Force" remains the official nomenclature in theDefence Act 1990.[48]It provides individual augmentees and formed bodies for operational deployments. There are Reserve units throughout New Zealand, and they have a long history. The modern Army Reserve is divided into three regionally-based battalion groups. Each of these is made up of smaller units of different specialities. The terms 'regiment' and 'battalion group' seem to be interchangeably used, which can cause confusion. However, it can be argued that both are accurate in slightly different senses. In a tactical sense, given that the Reserve units are groupings of all arms, the term 'battalion group' is accurate, though usually used for a much more single-arm heavy grouping, three infantry companies plus one armoured squadron, for example. NZ reserve battalion groups are composed of a large number of small units of different types.

The term 'regiment' can be accurately applied in the British regimental systems sense, as all the subunits collectively have been given the heritage of the former NZ infantry regiments (1900–1964). TF regiments prepare and provide trained individuals in order to top-up and sustain operational and non-operational units to meet directed outputs. TF regiments perform the function of a training unit, preparing individuals to meet prescribed outputs. The six regiments command all Territorial Force personnel within their region except those posted to formation or command headquarters, Military Police (MP) Company, Force Intelligence Group (FIG) or 1 New Zealand Special Air Services (NZSAS) Regiment. At a minimum, each regiment consists of a headquarters, a recruit induction training (RIT) company, at least one rifle company, and a number of combat support or combat service support companies or platoons.

3/1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, previously existed on paper as acadre.[49]If needed, it would have been raised to full strength through the regimentation of the Territorial Force infantry units. Army plans now envisage a three manoeuvre unit structure of 1 RNZIR, QAMR, and 2/1 RNZIR (light), being brought up to strength by TF individual and subunit reinforcements.

TheNew Zealand Cadet Corpsalso exists as an army-affiliated youth training and development organisation, part of theNew Zealand Cadet Forces.

A rationalisation plan to amalgamate the then existing six Reserve Regiments to three, and to abolish one third of Reserve personnel posts, had been mooted for some years. This was finally agreed by the New Zealand government in August 2011, and was implemented in 2012.[50][51]

TheNew Zealand Scottish Regiment,a Territorial Force regiment first established in January 1939, and perpetuating the battle honors of theDivisional Cavalryof the2nd New Zealand Division,was finally disbanded in April 2016.[52]After a final parade on April 16, 2016, its Regimental Colours were laid up in theToitu Otago Settlers Museum,Dunedin.[53]

The Territorial Forces Employer Support Council is an organisation that provides support to Reserve personnel of all three services and their civilian employers. It is a national organisation appointed by the minister of defence to work with employers and assist in making Reserve personnel available for operational deployments.[54]

Personnel[edit]

Strength[edit]

The Army comprises around 4,659 Regular Force personnel and 2,122 Reserve Force personnel.

Uniforms[edit]

Main article:Uniforms of the New Zealand Army

Like all Commonwealth countriesuniforms of the New Zealand Armyhad historically followed those of theBritish Army.From World War II until the late 1950sBritish Battledresswas worn, with British-issue "Jungle Greens" being used as field wear with Beret or Khaki Cap and BritishBoonie hat(usually called a "J hat" ) during theMalayan Emergency,Borneoand the earlier stages of theVietnam War.

After initially serving with the U.S Army, New Zealand forces in Vietnam were amalgamated into the1st Australian Task Forcein 1966 and adopted Australian Jungle Greens ( "JGs" ) from 1967. Uniforms were initially supplied from 1ATF stocks but were eventually made in New Zealand. In the early part of the war New Zealanders wore a black cravat embroidered with a small white Kiwi bird, a practice which began in Borneo in 1966. At first this was worn as part of the formal dress (although never official) but as the JGs worn by New Zealanders were almost identical to their Australian counterparts, the cravat was then sometimes worn on operations to distinguish them from Australians.[55][56]Some local acquisition of U.S uniforms and equipment also occurred. The American uniforms were said to be popular with platoon leaders, mortar crew, and artillery men due to ease of carrying maps and documents.[57][58]

RNZAF Officer Alan White wearing late-war "pixie suit" JG field shirt. Bong Son, Vietnam 1969

The Australian JGs underwent some modifications to resemble U.S fatigues in 1968 and these new uniforms, nicknamed "pixie suits" (for the slant of the shirt pockets) were worn by New Zealand and Australian troops until the end of the war.

TheNew Zealand Special Air Servicewere issued with standard U.Sbattle dress uniformfatigues inERDL camouflage patternduring the Vietnam War period and through the 1970s thereafter.[59][60]

Jungle Greens continued to be used as field wear by the New Zealand Army throughout the 1970s until the introduction ofMilitary camouflagein 1980 and a return to British-style field uniforms.British DPMwas adopted in 1980 as the camouflage pattern for clothing, the colours of which were further modified several times to better suit New Zealand conditions. This evolved pattern is now officially referred to asNew Zealand disruptive pattern material(NZDPM.) Reforms in 1997 saw British-influenced modifications to the New Zealand combat uniform.

Members of the New Zealand Army Band wear the distinctive "lemon squeezer"Campaign hatwith full dress uniform

The high crownedCampaign hat,nicknamed the "lemon squeezer" in New Zealand, was for decades the most visible national distinction. This was adopted by theTaranaki Regimentabout 1911 and became general issue for all New Zealand units during the latter stages of World War I. The different branches of service were distinguished by colouredpuggareeor wide bands around the base of the crown (blue and red for artillery, green for mounted rifles, khaki and red for infantry etc.). The "lemon squeezer" was worn to a certain extent during World War II, although often replaced by more convenient forage caps orberets,or helmets. After being in abeyance since the 1950s, the Campaign hat was reintroduced for ceremonial wear in 1977 forOfficer cadetsand theNew Zealand Army Band.[61]

TheM1 steel helmetwas the standardcombat helmetfrom 1960 to 2000 although the "boonie hat," was common in overseas theatres, such as in the Vietnam War. New Zealand forces also used the U.SPASGT helmetuntil 2009 after which the AustralianEnhanced Combat Helmetbecame the standard-issue helmet until 2019. The current combat helmet is the Viper P4Advanced Combat Helmetby Revision Military.[62][63]

In the 1990s a universal patternmess uniformreplaced various regimental and corps mess dress uniforms previously worn. The mess uniform is worn by officers and senior NCOs for formal evening occasions.

The wide-brimmed khaki slouch hat known as theMounted Rifles Hat(MRH) with green puggaree replaced the khaki"No 2" British Armypeaked capas service dress headdress for all branches in 1998.

From 2002 under a "one beret" policy, berets of all branches of service are now universally rifle-green, with the exceptions only of thetan beretof theNew Zealand Special Air Serviceand theblue beretof theNew Zealand Defence ForceMilitary Police.

In 2003 a desert DPM pattern, also based on the British pattern was in use with New Zealand peacekeeping forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa.NZ SASsoldiers serving inAfghanistanwere issued with Australian-sourced uniforms in CryeMultiCamcamouflage.

In 2008 the field uniform was updated to the modernACUstyle and made inripstopmaterial.[64]

In 2012 the MRH became the standard Army ceremonial headdress with the "lemon squeezer" being retained only forcolour partiesand other limited categories.[65]

The previous NZ Army MCU uniform, in service from 2013 to 2020.

NZDPM and NZDDPM were replaced in 2013 by a single camouflage pattern and a new uniform called the New Zealand Multi Terrain Camouflage Uniform (MCU.)[66][67]The shirt remains in an ACU-style however the pants are based on the Crye G3 combat pant with removable knee pads, usually otherwise associated withSpecial ForcesandPolice tactical unitassault uniforms.[68][69][70]The MCU, with the addition of a beret or sometimes the Mounted Rifles Hat, was the working uniform for all branches and divisions of the NZ Army, and certain units within the RNZN and RNZAF. After several years in service, modifications to the uniform have since followed with a change in material to Teredo[71](polyester/cotton twill) for both uniform and boonie hat, a return to covered buttons, and the removal of the elbow and knee pad pockets.[72] In late 2020, due to shortcomings and poor performances of the MCU uniform, the New Zealand Army has begun replacing the MCUs with a new camouflage pattern called NZMTP, based on the BritishMulti-Terrain Pattern(MTP), using a Multicam colour palette, produced by Crye Precision in the United States. The new uniforms will revert to the 2008 cut and be manufactured locally.[73]

Uniform accessories such as plate carriers, webbing, belts and wet weather clothing will be purchased in MultiCam pattern to source using the current market and reduce costs.

Rank structure and insignia[edit]

Main article:New Zealand military ranks
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
New Zealand Army[74]
 Field marshal Lieutenant-general Major-general Brigadier Colonel Lieutenant-colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant Various
Field marshal Lieutenant-general Major-general Brigadier Colonel Lieutenant-colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant Officer cadet
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
New Zealand Army[74]
 Warrant officer class 1 Warrant officer class 2 (sergeant major) Staff sergeant Sergeant Bombardier/corporal Lance bombardier/lance corporal No insignia
Warrant officer class 1 Warrant officer class 2 Staff sergeant Sergeant Corporal Lance corporal Private
(or equivalent)

Equipment[edit]

See also:List of equipment of the New Zealand Army

Infantry[edit]

The New Zealand Army's primary service weapon is theModular Assault Rifle System - Light (MARS-L)assault rifle, which is used by all service branches of theNew Zealand Defence Force.[75][76]The weapon can be equipped with accessories such as anACOGsight,M203 grenade launcherorM7 bayonet.Some soldiers are equipped with theDesignated Marksman Weapon (DMW),[77]equipped with a telescopicLeupold & Stevenssight allowing for increased accuracy at range. TheGlock 17[78]is used as a sidearm.

Supporting fire is provided byFN Minimi,MAG 58[79]andM2 Browningmachine guns, while theBarrett MRAD[80]andBarrett M107A1[81]sniper rifles are used in a sniper rifle and anti-materiel rifle role. TheBenelli M3shotgun and40mm Grenade Machine Gun (GMG)are additionally available in a supporting role.

A variety of anti-armour equipment is used, including theJavelin Medium Range Anti-Armour Weapon (MRAAW),L14A1 Medium Direct Fire Support WeaponandShort-Range Anti-Armour Weapon (M72 LAW).

Mortars and artillery[edit]

TheRoyal Regiment of New Zealand Artilleryis equipped with several light mortar and artillery systems. Indirect fire is provided through the use of 60 mm and 81 mm mortar systems with theHirtenberger M6,Hirtenberger M8andL16A2.[82]The BritishL119 light gun[83]is operated in the artillery role.

Armour[edit]

The New Zealand Army makes use of theNZLAVwheeledinfantry fighting vehicle,a variant of theCanadianLAV III.An armoured variant of theSteyr-Puch Pinzgauer[84]is also used, although this is to be replaced by theBushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle.

Transport and utility vehicles[edit]

A variety of transport and utility vehicles are used, principally including theMercedes-Benz Unimogand its replacement, theRheinmetall MANRMMV HX[85][86]series of military trucks. Other vehicles include thePolaris MRZR[87]light vehicle, and theJCB High Mobility Engineer Excavator.[88]

Deployments[edit]

The New Zealand Army currently has personnel deployed overseas on active service in:

A New Zealand Army soldier in Afghanistan during 2011

Former[edit]

Commemorations[edit]

New Zealand Army Dayis celebrated on 25 March, the date in 1845 when the New Zealand Legislative Council passed the first Militia Act.[91]

ANZAC Dayis the main annual commemorative activity for New Zealand soldiers. On 25 April each year the landings at Gallipoli are remembered, though the day has come to mean remembering the fallen from all wars in which New Zealand has been involved. While a New Zealand public holiday, it is a duty day for New Zealand military personnel, who, even if not involved in official commemorative activities are required to attend an ANZAC Day Dawn Parade in ceremonial uniform in their home location.

Remembrance Day,commemorating the end ofWorld War Ion 11 November 1918, is marked by official activities with a military contribution normally with parades and church services on the closest Sunday. However, ANZAC Day has a much greater profile and involves a much higher proportion of military personnel.

New Zealand Wars Dayis commemorated on 28 October, this is the national day marking the 19th-century New Zealand Wars.[92]

The various regiments of the New Zealand Army mark their own Corps Days, many of which are derived from those of the corresponding British regiments. Examples areCambrai Dayon 20 November for the Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps, St Barbara's Day on 4 December for the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Our people".New Zealand Defence Force.Retrieved23 December2023.
  2. ^abMcKenzie, Pete (26 November 2018)."How the NZ Army became an iwi".Newsroom.
  3. ^G J Clayton (ed),A Short History of the New Zealand Army from 1840 to the 1990s,1991
  4. ^"New Zealand Army Act 1950 (1950 No 39)".www.nzlii.org.Retrieved30 April2020.
  5. ^IISS Military Balance 2011, 263: ISAF,Multinational Force and Observers,1 obs in UNAMI, 7 UNTSO, Sudan, RAMSI, and ISF in Timor.
  6. ^Stowers, Richard,Kiwi versus Boer: The First New Zealand Mounted Rifles in the Anglo-Boer War 1899–1902,1992, Hamilton: Richard Stowers.
  7. ^"New Zealand goes to War".New Zealand History.Retrieved11 January2023.
  8. ^Cooke & Crawford 2011,p. 262
  9. ^"Barrowclough, Harold Eric".Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.Ministry for Culture and Heritage / Te Manatū Taonga.Retrieved14 July2012.
  10. ^Cooke (2011), pp. 262, 274
  11. ^Cooke & Crawford 2011,p. 279
  12. ^Cooke and Crawford (2011), p. 280
  13. ^abCooke and Crawford (2011), p. 281
  14. ^Cooke, Peter; Crawford, John (2011).The Territorials: The History of the Territorial and Volunteer Forces of New Zealand.Auckland: Random House. pp. 272–281.ISBN9781869794460.
  15. ^Major General W.G. Stevens, 'Problems of 2 NZEF,'Chapter 4,Official History of the Second World War, 1958, NZ Electronic Text Centre accessed April 2009
  16. ^Damien Marc Fenton, 'A False Sense of Security,' Centre for Strategic Studies:New Zealand, 1998, p.12
  17. ^"Impact of the war".nzhistory.govt.nz.Retrieved1 March2024.
  18. ^Cooke & Crawford 2011,pp. 322–323.
  19. ^Cooke 2016,pp. 822–823.
  20. ^"NZ and the Malayan Emergency".
  21. ^Henderson, Green, and Cook, 2008, 374.
  22. ^"The Flinkenberg List".Retrieved26 November2019.
  23. ^See for exampleEncyclopaedia of New Zealand 1966,accessed August 2009
  24. ^Report of the Naval Board of the Defence Council from 31 March 1983 – 1 April 1984 via Communicators' Association website.
  25. ^New Zealand Official Yearbook 1988–89Archived24 January 2015 at theWayback Machine.See also Air New Zealand Almanac 1985 and New Zealand Army News, 1990s
  26. ^Jennings, P,Exercise Golden Fleece and the New Zealand military: lessons and limitations,Strategic and Defence Studies Centre. Research School of Pacific Studies.Australian National University,Working paper, 187, Canberra 1989. See alsoA Joint Force? The Move To Jointness And Its Implications for the New Zealand Defence Force
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  36. ^abKeating, Chief of Defence Force Lt. Gen. Tim (24 February 2015)."NZDF's Training Mission to Iraq".New Zealand Defence Force.Retrieved13 August2016.
  37. ^"NZ Army – Culture and History of Ngāti Tūmatauenga".New Zealand Army.
  38. ^"US blocks APC sale – Politics News".Television New Zealand.20 February 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 2 May 2015.
  39. ^"Govt to sell 35 army LAVs".24 May 2010.
  40. ^"Weather the next threat after earthquake".Stuff.co.nz (Fairfax New Zealand). 4 September 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 21 October 2012.Retrieved4 September2010.
  41. ^"Operation Christchurch Quake 2011".NZ Army. Archived fromthe originalon 13 August 2011.
  42. ^"NZ to provide non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine".The Beehive.Retrieved16 August2022.
  43. ^Gallardo, Cristina; Caulcutt, Clea (16 September 2022)."Ukraine's military recruits need training. Only one of Europe's giants is pulling its weight".Politico.Retrieved17 September2022.
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  51. ^"Battalion holds its Last Parade" Wanganui Chronicle 6 August 2012http://www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz/news/battalion-holds-last-parade/1493375/
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  53. ^Sean Brosnahan (8 July 2019)."Scottish ties still strong".
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Bibliography[edit]

  • Cooke, Peter (2016).Defending New Zealand: Ramparts on the Seas 1840-1950s.Wellington: Defence of New Zealand Study Group.ISBN978-0-473-06833-2.
  • Cooke, Peter; Crawford, John (2011).The Territorials: The History of the Territorial and Volunteer Forces of New Zealand.Auckland: Random House.ISBN9781869794460.
  • Crawford, John; Harper, Glyn (2001).Operation East Timor: The New Zealand Defence Force in East Timor 1999–2001.Auckland: Reed Publishing.ISBN0790008238.
  • Major G.J. Clayton,The New Zealand Army, A History from the 1840s to the 1990s,New Zealand Army, Wellington, 1990
  • Damien Marc Fenton,A False Sense of Security?,Centre for Strategic Studies New Zealand
  • Malcolm Thomas and Cliff Lord,New Zealand Army Distinguishing Patches 1911–1991,ISBN0-473-03288-0

Further reading[edit]

  • J.T. Burrows, "Pathway Among Men," Whitcombe and Tombes, Christchurch, 1974. ISBN 0 7233 0378 9. Burrows was Commanding Officer 20 Battalion in 2 NZDF, Commander NZ forces in Korea and Japan, and Southern Military District.
  • Ball, Desmond (ed.) (1985).The ANZAC Connection.George Allen & Unwin, (esp annex 'The New Zealand order of battle')
  • Currie, A.E (1948).Notes on the Constitutional History of the NZ Army from the Beginning to the Army Board Act, 1937,Crown Solicitors, referenced in Peter Cooke, 'Defending New Zealand,' Part II.
  • Wilson, Marcus James (2007).A history of New Zealand's military horse: The Experience of the Horse in the Anglo-Boer War and World War One(PDF)(MA). Christchurch: University of Canterbury.

External links[edit]

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