NZ Defence Force

NZ Defence Force Te Ope Kātua O Aotearoa | New Zealand Defence Force
Home of New Zealand's Navy, Army & Air Force

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12/06/2026

Searching for narcotics ⛔️ Supervising Customs Officer Nick Sparey, from the New Zealand Customs Service Maritime Group, explains how the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) helps prevent drugs from South America reaching our streets.

Overseas intel alerts Customs to vessels of interest that are transiting through New Zealand ports. Cavities along the hull of a ship are frequently used by criminal organisations to store narcotics for later collection by associated gang members.

Once berthed, Navy engineers shut the vessel down to ensure the RNZN dive team can begin their hull search safely. While the rest of the vessel undergoes a full inspection by Customs teams, including a drug detector dog unit, a Customs boat and Navy dive supervisor oversee the hull search.

Partnering with Customs strengthens the capabilities of both organisations and improves the safety and wellbeing of communities across New Zealand.

Ocean rescue 🌊 A Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon has successfully located eight people on two missing boats in...
12/06/2026

Ocean rescue 🌊 A Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon has successfully located eight people on two missing boats in the Pacific.

The aircraft was flying to Fiji to refuel, while en route to a Kiribati search and rescue earlier this week, when Maritime NZ’s Rescue Coordination Centre asked them to conduct the additional search for a small craft in Fijian waters.

On discovering the vessel, the aircraft crew passed on its location and the Republic of Fiji Navy Ship Savenaca was able to rescue five people on board.

The P-8A Poseidon and crew resumed the search for the missing small Kiribati boat, with three on board, which they were able to locate.

Full story ➡️ nzdf.mil.nz/double-Pacific-rescue

Warrior skills on show 💪 A Royal New Zealand Air Force Security Forces team has given a standout performance at an inter...
11/06/2026

Warrior skills on show 💪 A Royal New Zealand Air Force Security Forces team has given a standout performance at an international combat assessment in Guam.

The unit recently competed in a week-long annual Pacific Air Forces Advanced Combat Skills Assessment (PACAF ACSA) at Andersen Air Force Base.

It was the second time the team had competed, going head-to-head with teams from international militaries.

Find out how the team went ➡️nzdf.mil.nz/SECFOR-PACAF

09/06/2026

Bravo Zulu to the 109 sailors and officers who are now proud members of the Royal New Zealand Navy.

After graduating on Saturday at Devonport Naval Base, they will now move to the next phase of their careers with the commencement of specialist training.

08/06/2026

Gear up with Squadron Leader Paul Harrison, Falcon 5 of the RNZAF Black Falcons aerobatic display team.

Discover the equipment the team wears and the pre-flight checks they complete before every flight in the T-6C Texan II aircraft.

Watch the series ➡️ nzdf.mil.nz/RNZAF-Black-Falcons-Playlist

Seeking shelter during missile alerts, handling the tension during inspections, and avoiding explosive remnants of war a...
08/06/2026

Seeking shelter during missile alerts, handling the tension during inspections, and avoiding explosive remnants of war are the necessities of daily life as a United Nations Military Observer in the Middle East.

Lieutenant Chris Wise, Royal New Zealand Navy, and Captains Leighton Taniwha and Simon Wooton-Lane, both New Zealand Army, are part of a team several months into a 12-month deployment for Operation Scoria.

Lieutenant Wise is based in the Syrian Golan Heights, monitoring adherence to the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Syrian and Israeli forces.

The war with Iran has changed their routines, but he said everyone maintained a positive attitude.

“Everyone’s morale is high. There have been some tense times and we make preparations for worst-case scenarios by ensuring our shelters have enough supplies to see us through if we have to go to ground.” ~ Lieutenant Chris Wise

Full story ➡️ nzdf.mil.nz/Op-Scoria-26

A day that means everything 🎓 Bravo Zulu to the 84 sailors and 25 officers who graduated from the Royal New Zealand Navy...
07/06/2026

A day that means everything 🎓 Bravo Zulu to the 84 sailors and 25 officers who graduated from the Royal New Zealand Navy's 26/1 Basic Common Training and Junior Officer Common Training courses at the Devonport Naval Base.

The Minister of Defence, Hon Chris Penk, reviewed the parade and addressed the graduating sailors, along with around 500 family members, friends, senior leaders, and invited guests.

The damp day didn’t dampen enthusiasm as the audience was then treated to a graduation showcase involving a march pasts, skill at arms, physical training and damage control drills, merit awards, and a rousing haka to celebrate the conclusion of months of hard training.

Congratulations and welcome to our newest sailors and officers of Te Taua Moana o Aotearoa – the Royal New Zealand Navy.

📸 LAC G Francois

05/06/2026

Training in Tekapo 💥 Soldiers from the New Zealand Army’s 2nd/1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment recently trained alongside visiting soldiers from the 2nd Battalion of the The Royal Gurkha Rifles during an exercise in the South Island.

The exercise brought together around 50 New Zealand soldiers and approximately 120 Royal Gurkha soldiers to strengthen combat capability, improve interoperability and build readiness to operate together in future exercises or operations.

Full story ➡️ nzdf.mil.nz/Ex-Pacific-Kukri-26

04/06/2026

Vessels carrying out potentially illegal activities have been the target of maritime surveillance patrols conducted by the Royal New Zealand Air Force in Fiji, Niue and Cook Islands’ Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ).

In operations supporting both the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency and the New Zealand Customs-led Operation Kiwa response to deter and disrupt transnational, serious and organised crime in the Pacific, a MC-12K King Air undertook patrols and photographed vessels of interest for follow-up by authorities.

Full story ➡️ nzdf.mil.nz/Pacific-patrols

04/06/2026

More than 20 years since its creation, NZSAS E Squadron remains a vital capability as part of a whole-of-government response to explosive ordnance, chemical and biological incidents in New Zealand and overseas.

Modern capability such as the Harris T7 robot ensures we have the best kit available to both “Fight Tonight” and address modern IED (improvised explosive device) threats, all while protecting our operators and keeping the wider community safe.

Introducing the L3 Harris T7 robot

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