Joining Criteria
We are open to all youth aged 13 and 14. If you are 12 and attending secondary school, you are also eligible to join. You must also abide by the NZCF Code of Conduct and the Unit Standing Orders at all times. Senior cadets can stay with the Unit as a cadet until the day before their 20th birthday, and may decide to remain with the Unit as an Officer Cadet or as a Supplementary Staff Member.
Uniforms
The uniform worn by NZCC members is the same as that of the New Zealand Army, except that for all ranks, the lettering on the bottom of the rank insignia shoulder boards reads
CADET FORCES rather than NEW ZEALAND to differentiate NZCC personnel from New Zealand Army personnel. Furthermore, NZCC rank insignia are red, a colour no longer used by the New Zealand Army for rank insignia. The cadets wear an NZCC cap badge (same as NZCC crest) on their beret, and cadets wear their achievements on a shoulder brassard.Once fees have been paid and the probationary period completed, you will be issued with a uniform and enrolled. Uniforms remain the property of the NZDF, and are to be returned when you leave the Unit. You will be taught how to look after and wear your uniform.
Costs
These fees help with the running of the Unit and subsidising Unit activities throughout the year, as the Unit does not receive any financial assistance from the New Zealand Cadet Forces. Any potential difficulties with meeting these costs may be privately discussed with the Cadet Unit Commander or Unit Adjutant in confidence. We strive to never let financial considerations negatively impact a cadet’s experience.
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 –.
Details for how these fees may be paid can be found at Unit Support Committee.
Adult Volunteers
Adult volunteers can serve with the Unit either as a Commissioned Officer or a Supplementary Staff Member.
On the completion of the NZCF Commissioning Course, adult volunteers are commissioned into the New Zealand Cadet Forces on behalf of the Minister of Defence. Officers are unpaid volunteers with the exception of when attending NZCF authorised courses as a student or staff member. Officers manage the training, planning and activities of the Unit, and are the backbone of any well-functioning Cadet Unit.
Supplementary Staff Members also help with the training and administration of a Unit alongside Unit Officers. However, Supplementary Staff Members do not wear uniform, unlike Officers. They are usually treated similarly to Officers by cadets, but they are not saluted.
Associated with our Unit is also a Unit Support Committee which is a branch of the Cadet Corps Association of New Zealand (CCANZ), which you can read more about at Unit Support Committee.
Interested?
Read about our Recruitment Process!