Can all youth join?What if I move town, can I join another unit?What does the New Zealand Defence Force provide cadets with?What opportunities do the New Zealand Cadet Forces offer?What will I do at cadet training activities?How is Cadet Training undertaken?Who instructs cadets?How are adult staff selected?How is bullying and harassment managed?How safe is my child?Do I have to join the Armed Forces when I leave?How much does it cost?How old do you have to be to join cadets?How long can you serve for?Can I get NZQA credits for my learning while in Cadets?Will being a cadet help me get into the Armed Forces when I leave school?Does Cadets provide help with career options?What firearms are used?Will I be sent overseas to fight?What if I’m not too fit?Do I have to stay if I find Cadets is not for me?I have a question!
Can all youth join?
Yes, we are a fully inclusive organisation.
What if I move town, can I join another unit?
Yes, there are over 95 units across New Zealand that you could transfer to.
What does the New Zealand Defence Force provide cadets with?
Cadets are supplied with most of the uniform and equipment they need. The uniforms are owned by the New Zealand Defence Force and are loaned to cadets. They are expected to be cared for and returned in good condition when the cadet leaves the Unit.
They supply our Defence Force advisors and organise and pay for all the promotion courses you may be selected to attend. They also provide the subjects you will study.
Occasionally packs, sleeping bags, cookers and other camping gear will be loaned to cadets on a short-term basis. Normal wear and tear is acceptable but, should any items or uniform be lost or damaged through irresponsible use, then the cost of replacement will be met by the cadet.
What opportunities do the New Zealand Cadet Forces offer?
Cadets take part in unique adventurous, fulfilling, and educational activities in a military-like environment. Through these activities, cadets get the chance to develop a sense of purpose, responsibility, self confidence, self respect, self discipline, self reliance, leadership ability, and commitment to voluntary service.
Many former cadets comment that the cadet experience helped to develop them as an individual, achieve personal growth, leadership qualities, and provide them with a sense of community service.
What will I do at cadet training activities?
You will be offered inspiring and challenging military-like experiences. You will learn valuable life and work skills that will open up new possibilities, opportunities, and career options. You will be part of a team, develop leadership and survival skills, make new friends, experience challenges, and learn to take responsibility.
How is Cadet Training undertaken?
Cadet training and experiences are modelled along military lines. Activities are organised as part of our yearly Training Programme. All activities are reviewed to ensure they will be safe and that they meet all our policies and procedures. They are then approved by qualified and trained Cadet Forces Officers or New Zealand Defence Force staff attached to Cadet Forces, prior to cadets undertaking these activities.
Part of cadet training is to attend a weekly 3 hour parade night after school hours. Throughout the year, we also conduct weekend camps, training days and activities, and support Anzac Day, as well as other local services and ceremonies.
Regional camps and courses are usually conducted on weekends and during school holidays. Some courses offered to cadets include:
- Leadership,
- Marksmanship training,
- Gliding,
- Power flying,
- Drone operation,
- Navigation,
- Primary skills competitions,
- Coxswains course, and
- Regattas.
Who instructs cadets?
Officers and Instructors participating in the New Zealand Cadet Forces include:
- Former and current members of the New Zealand Defence Force,
- Specialist personnel,
- Teachers,
- Fire, Ambulance and Police officers,
- Managers and executives from a wide range of Government departments and private companies,
- Parents and community organisation members,
- Former New Zealand Cadet Force Cadets, and
- People from many more walks of life!
How are adult staff selected?
To become an Officer or Adult Instructor within the New Zealand Cadet Forces, members must satisfy some or all of the following pre-requisites in line with the position they hold:
- Completion of a formal application,
- Obtain an unencumbered clearance from the New Zealand Police,
- Obtain a Vulnerable Children’s Act clearance,
- Attend a predetermined number of training nights,
- Complete online training packages, and
- Pass a Selection Board interview before being interviewed and approved by a senior New Zealand Defence Force officer.
Officers are required to attend training courses in health and safety, first aid, equity and diversity, adolescent behaviour, acceptable behaviour, mandatory reporting, duty of care, managerial decision making, youth development philosophies, legal and societal practices and procedures, military etiquette, instructional techniques, and Code of Conduct training.
If you’re interested in joining as an Officer or Adult Instructor, please contact us — we will help you through each step of this process!
How is bullying and harassment managed?
The NZCF does not tolerate unacceptable behaviour of any kind. All cadets and staff have the basic rights and obligations to participate in activities free of harassment and discrimination, and operate in a non-discriminatory, fair, and safe environment.
The NZCF Code of Conduct defines appropriate codes of ethical behaviour and provides guidelines for preventing, managing, and reporting breaches of these codes.
All Cadets and Staff agree to comply with this Code of Conduct.
How safe is my child?
Your child’s safety has top priority, accepting that no activity can be entirely risk free.
Read about the risk management training that NZCF Officers undergo to minimise risk for your child while involved in NZCF activities.
Your child’s safety has top priority.
All Officers undergo formal training in risk management on their Commissioning Course. This course includes NZQA risk management Unit Standards to learn how to minimise risk for your child while involved in NZCF activities.
Before they are permitted to take groups into the field all Officers have to qualify on the NZCF Fieldcraft Course. This course also incorporates First Aid training.
All Officers are required to qualify on New Zealand Defence Force conducted firearms safety, range safety and shooting coaching courses before they are allowed to conduct any form of firearms safety training. All cadets complete the same firearms safety course before they are allowed to handle and shoot NZCF firearms.
Regular Officer up-date training weekends are conducted to ensure Officers remain current with their skills and their knowledge.
However, no activity can be completely risk free. Cadet Forces Officers are trained to recognise and minimise risk to a point where it does not impact negatively on your child’s learning experiences.
Do I have to join the Armed Forces when I leave?
No, the New Zealand Cadet Forces is a youth development organisation and is not part of the New Zealand Defence Force.
How much does it cost?
The current fees as decided by the Unit Support Committee are as follows:
- A one-off joining fee of ;
- A one-off name badge, cap, and t-shirt fee of ;
- A one-off equipment bond of ; and
- Term fees of either per term OR an annual fee of if paid by the end of the first term.
The cost for weekend activities vary, however those that have a cost are generally –.
Any potential difficulties with meeting these costs may be privately discussed with the Cadet Unit Commander or Unit Adjutant in confidence.
How old do you have to be to join cadets?
You can join if you are 13 years of age or in Year 9 at secondary school.
How long can you serve for?
The majority of cadets serve for up to four years. After that, if you are a senior cadet, you can serve as a cadet until the day before your 20th birthday.
Can I get NZQA credits for my learning while in Cadets?
Yes. The NZCF has been instrumental in establishing an NZQA National Certificate in Cadet Forces – Foundation Studies (Level 2).
Our Unit incorporates NZQA Unit Standards from this qualification into our training programme. You can have the credits you achieve placed on your NZQA record of learning after you have paid the credit recording fee.
Because it is a National Certificate you can also use the credits earned to help meet the credit requirements of your NCEA Levels 1–3.
Will being a cadet help me get into the Armed Forces when I leave school?
The New Zealand Cadet Forces is not a recruiting arm of the New Zealand Defence Force. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that young people who serve with the NZCF seem to adapt more readily to life in the Armed Forces.
Does Cadets provide help with career options?
Yes. Cadets provides your child with life and decision making skills, so they can meet almost any challenge. The career opportunities open to Cadets are endless.
What firearms are used?
We use Marlin XT .22 Rifles. These are used under strict conditions, on a range. We do not shoot animals or go hunting.
Will I be sent overseas to fight?
Definitely not.
What if I’m not too fit?
There is no requirement to meet a specific level of fitness to join the NZCF. However, like many activities, if you are fit you will get greater enjoyment from your experiences.
Do I have to stay if I find Cadets is not for me?
No, you volunteer to join the New Zealand Cadet Forces and you can leave at any time.
I have a question!
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