Second Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Battalion Group.

Third Auckland (Countess of Ranfurly's Own) and Northland Battalion Group.

Fourth Otago and Southland Battalion Group.

Fifth Wellington, West Coast and Taranaki Battalion Group.

Seventh Wellington (City of Wellington's Own) and Hawke's Bay Battalion Group.

Applications were called for service in the Special Air Service in early 1955 and about 800 volunteers applied for selection. The strict selection process reduced the numbers to 138

Territorial Force | The Army Reserve

Join the Reserve

2012 intakes

Applications for the February 2012 Army Reserve Soldier intake are now closed. Please check back regularly for when the next intake will be on either this site or defencecareers.mil.nz

Today's Reserve

What is the Army Reserve?

The Army Reserve is the part time component of New Zealand's Army, with a mission to provide trained individuals, volunteers and formed groups of soldiers for overseas operations.

The Army Reserve also has a role within New Zealand as one of the arms that the New Zealand Government may call upon to assist in case of a civil emergency.

Operation RENA

Reserve soldiers from Auckland begin cleaning Papamoa Beach after oil from the grounded ship Rena reached shore. Private Clayton Mills and Lance Corporal Daniel Moyle rake oil for collection from the beach surface (20111012_WN_S1015650_0002).

Over 370 New Zealand Defence Force personnel continue to support Maritime NZ, other Government agencies and the people of Tauranga with ships, aircraft and clean-up teams deployed to the area.

Retiring Honorary Colonel - A Class Act

Lt Col Chris Powell and Hon Col Dame Cath Tizard (AW-11-1026-1).

The Dame, she is a class act and we are going to really miss her. I speak of none other than former Governor General and Commander in Chief, the Honorable Dame Catherine Tizard, ONZ, GCMG, GCVO, DBE, QSO, DStJ.

Dame Cath recently retired as Honorary Colonel for the 3rd Auckland (Countess of Ranfurly's Own) and Northland Battalion Group, after having taken up the appointment in October 2007. Nothing about her was an act per se - she was always a straight shooter, genuine, and quick to see the humorous side of things. Known affectionately as Dame Cath, we, soldiers and officers alike, thoroughly enjoyed her lively personality, great stories, and the ease with which she connected with everyone.

News Feed

Soldiers on patrol during Exercise Tobruk near Masterton (AW-11-1101-1).

Exercise Tobruk hones 7 Battalion's infantry skills
26 October 2011
An enthusiastic company of soldiers from Bravo Company of the 7th Wellington and Hawkes Bay Battalion Group went back to some grassroot infantry skills recently during Exercise Tobruk.

Private Faisal Attayee - a New Zealand wrestling champion (AW-11-1007-1).

Feature story: 3 Auck North Soldier a New Zealand Wrestling Champion
Pushing past pain, physical limits, and continuing on in spite of exhaustion is something 20 year old Private Faisal Attayee knows well. This is part of the course and what he often experiences as he pursues his goal to be a champion in his sport of choice - wrestling.

A painting by Capt Matt Gauldie which depicts two returned servicemen, WW2 veteran Mr Ian Cannon and Lance Corporal Daniel Moyle, comparing notes (AW-11-1007-2).

Feature story: Ranfurly men painted for posterity
There are some paintings, the more you look at them, the more you see. A recent work completed by Army Artist Captain Matt Gauldie is one such painting.

Defence Force Reservist of the Year Compeition
7 July 2011
Part-time soldiers, sailors and airmen will compete against each other this weekend in a series of military skills challenges for the title of New Zealand Defence Force Reservist of the Year.

This page was last reviewed on 12 January 2012, and is current.