New Zealand Cadet Forces

New Zealand Cadet Forces
I Ngā Toa Pōtiki o Aotearoa (Māori)
center
The NZCF Logo
Active1864 – present
Country New Zealand
AllegianceHM The King
BranchSea Cadet Corps
New Zealand Cadet Corps
Air Training Corps
TypeVolunteer Youth Organisation
Size98 Cadet Units
- 49 ATC Squadrons
- 33 NZCC Units
- 16 SCC Training Ships

~2,918 Cadets[1]
~735 Commissioned Officers' and Support Staff
HeadquartersTrentham Military Camp
Motto(s)Training Youth for Tomorrow
Anniversaries12 November
Websitewww.cadetforces.org.nz
Commanders
Minister of DefenceHon Judith Collins
Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Tony Davies
Commandant NZCF Wing Commander Bruce Creedy, RNZAF
Executive Officer NZCF Squadron Leader Bruce Sinclair, RNZAF
Assistant CommandantWing Commander Shane Cole, NZBM QSM NZCF
Warrant Officer Cadet ForcesCadet Warrant Officer Jonathan Moore
Insignia
Navy Cadets LogoNavy Cadets Logo
Army Cadets LogoArmy Cadets Logo
Air Cadets LogoAir Cadets Logo

The New Zealand Cadet Forces (Cadet Forces or NZCF) is a voluntary military-style training organisation for New Zealand youth between the ages of 13 and 21. Run in partnership with the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and local community organisations. Through its three branches, the New Zealand Cadet Forces provide young adults with a four-year training curriculum, while a number of local, area, and national camps and courses provide further experience and qualifications. It is jointly funded by the Ministry of Defence, the Royal New Zealand Returned Services' Association, local communities, and the Associated charities belonging to each branch (CCANZ, SCANZ, ATCANZ). Overall it is directed by Air Marshal Kevin Short,[2] Chief of Defence Force.[3][4] Cadets are not under any obligation to join the New Zealand Defence Force, however many choose to do so upon turning 18 years old.

  1. ^ "NZDF-Annual-Report-2023" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Air Vice-Marshal Kevin Short is the new chief of the Defence Force". Stuff.co.nz. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  3. ^ Minister of Defence (1 April 1990). "Defence Act 1990" (PDF). www.legislation.govt.nz. pp. 69–74. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  4. ^ "NZCF Composition And Structure". www.cadetforces.org.nz. New Zealand Cadet Forces. 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2018.