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{{short description|Land component of the New Zealand Defence Force}}{{More citations needed|date=September 2024}}
 
{{Use New Zealand English|date=August 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
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| website = https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/army/
| size = 4,234 (Regular)<ref>{{cite web |title=Our people |url=https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/media-centre/search-our-libraries/documents/?search=nzdf+annual+report+2022&document-type=Strategies+%26+plans&sort=date|publisher=New Zealand Defence Force |access-date=23 December 2023 |language=en-NZ}}</ref><br>2,065 (Reserve)
| command_structure = {{nobreaknowrap|[[New Zealand Defence Force]]}}
| garrison = [[Wellington]]
| colours = Red and black
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| commander1 = [[Governor-General of New Zealand|Governor-General]] [[Cindy Kiro|Dame Alcyion Cynthia Kiro]], as representative of [[Charles III]] as [[King of New Zealand]]
| commander1_label = [[Commander-in-Chief]]
| commander2 = Air Marshal [[Kevin ShortTony (RNZAF officer)|Kevin Short]]Davies
| commander2_label = {{nobreaknowrap|[[Chief of Defence Force (New Zealand)|Chief of Defence Force]]}}
| commander3 = Major General [[John Boswell (soldier)|John Boswell]]
| commander3_label = [[Chief of Army (New Zealand)|Chief of Army]]
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}}
 
The '''New Zealand Army''' ({{lang-mi|Ngāti Tūmatauenga}}, "{{gloss|Tribe of the [[Tūmatauenga|God of War]]"}}<ref name="Newsroom">{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/11/25/331569/peter-mckenzie-on-army-as-an-iwi-for-monday|title=How the NZ Army became an iwi|last=McKenzie|first=Pete|date=26 November 2018|website=Newsroom}}</ref>) is the principal [[Army|land warfare force]] of [[New Zealand]], a component of the [[New Zealand Defence Force]] alongside the [[Royal New Zealand Navy]] and the [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]].
 
Formed in 1845, as the '''New Zealand Military Forces''', the Army traces its history from settler militia raised in that same year.<ref>G J Clayton (ed), ''A Short History of the New Zealand Army from 1840 to the 1990s'', 1991</ref> The current name was adopted by the New Zealand Army Act 1950.<ref>{{Cite web|title=New Zealand Army Act 1950 (1950 No 39)|url=http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/nzaa19501950n39196/|website=www.nzlii.org|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref>
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{{Main|Military history of New Zealand during World War II}}
 
During the [[Second World War]], the [[2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force]] (I.E. [[2nd Division (New Zealand)|2nd Division]]) fought in [[Greece]], [[Crete]], the [[Western Desert campaign]] and the [[Italian campaign (World War II)|Italian campaign]]. Among its units was the famed 28th [[Māori Battalion]]. Following Japan's entry into the war, [[3rd Division (New Zealand)|3rd Division]], 2 NZEF IP (in Pacific) saw action in the Pacific, seizing a number of islands from the Japanese. New Zealanders contributed to various Allied special forces units, such as the original [[Long Range Desert Group]] in North Africa and [[Z Special Unit|Z Force]] in the Pacific.[[File:E 003261 E Maoris in North Africa July 1941.jpg|left|thumb|Maori troops performing a haka in North Africa during July 1941|alt=Maori men kneeling, performing the haka]]As part of the preparations for the possible outbreak of war in the Pacific, the defensive forces stationed in New Zealand were expanded in late 1941. On 1 November, three new [[brigade]] headquarters were raised (taking the total in the New Zealand Army to seven), and three divisional headquarters were established to coordinate the units located in the Northern, Central and Southern Military Districts.<ref name="Cooke_262">{{harvnb|Cooke|Crawford|2011|page=262}}</ref> The division in the [[Northern Military District (New Zealand)|Northern Military District]] was designated the Northern Division,<ref name="Barrowclough_DNZB">{{cite web|title=Barrowclough, Harold Eric|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5b12/1|work=Dictionary of New Zealand Biography|publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage / Te Manatū Taonga|access-date=14 July 2012}}</ref> and comprised the [[1st Brigade (New Zealand)|1st]] and [[12th Brigade (New Zealand)|12th Brigade Groups]].<ref>Cooke (2011), pp. 262, 274</ref> Northern Division later became [[1st Division (New Zealand)|1st Division]]. [[4th Division (New Zealand)|4th Division]] was established in the Central Military District (with [[2nd Infantry Brigade (New Zealand)|2nd]] and 7th brigades), and [[5th Division (New Zealand)|5th]] in the south (with 3rd, 10th and 11th brigades).
 
The forces stationed in New Zealand were considerably reduced as the threat of invasion passed. During early 1943, each of the three home defence divisions were cut from 22,358 to 11,530 men. The non-divisional units suffered even greater reductions.<ref name="Cooke_279">{{harvnb|Cooke|Crawford|2011|page=279}}</ref> The New Zealand government ordered a general stand-down of the defensive forces in the country on 28 June, which led to further reductions in the strength of units and a lower state of readiness.<ref name="Cooke_280">Cooke and Crawford (2011), p. 280</ref> By the end of the year, almost all of the Territorial Force personnel had been demobilised (though they retained their uniforms and equipment), and only 44 soldiers were posted to the three divisional and seven brigade headquarters.<ref name="Cooke_281">Cooke and Crawford (2011), p. 281</ref> The war situation continued to improve, and the 4th Division, along with the other two divisions and almost all the remaining Territorial Force units, was disbanded on 1 April 1944.<ref name=Cooke_281 /><ref>{{cite book|last=Cooke|first=Peter|title=The Territorials: The History of the Territorial and Volunteer Forces of New Zealand|year=2011|publisher=Random House|location=Auckland|isbn=9781869794460|author2=Crawford, John |pages=272–281}}</ref>
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==== Post-War ====
The New Zealand Army was formally formed from the New Zealand Military Forces following the Second World War. Attention focused on preparing a third Expeditionary Force potentially for service against the Soviets. [[Compulsory Military Training in New Zealand|Compulsory military training]] was introduced to man the force, which was initially division-sized. The New Zealand Army Act 1950 stipulated that the Army would consist from then on of Army Troops (army headquarters, Army Schools, and base units); District Troops ([[Northern Military District (New Zealand)|Northern Military District]], Central and Southern Military Districts, the 12 subordinate area HQs, elementary training elements, coastal artillery and composite AA regiments); and the New Zealand Division, the mobile striking force.<ref>Damien Marc Fenton, 'A False Sense of Security,' Centre for Strategic Studies:New Zealand, 1998, p.12</ref> The division was alternatively known as '3NZEF'.
 
==== Korean War ====
The Army's first combat after the Second World War was in the [[New Zealand in the Korean War|Korean War]], which began with North Korea's invasion of the South on 25 June 1950. After some debate, on 26 July 1950, the [[New Zealand government]] announced it would raise a volunteer military force to serve with the [[United Nations Command (Korea)|United Nations Command]] in Korea. The idea was opposed initially by [[Chief of Army (New Zealand)|Chief of the General Staff]], Major-General [[Keith Lindsay Stewart]], who did not believe the force would be large enough to be self-sufficient. His opposition was overruled and the government raised what was known as [[Kayforce]], a total of 1,044 men selected from among volunteers. [[16th Field Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery]] and support elements arrived later during the conflict from New Zealand. The force arrived at [[Pusan]] on New Year's Eve, and on 21 January, joined the British [[27th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|27th Infantry Brigade]] representing the [[1st Commonwealth Division]], along with Australian, Canadian, and Indian forces. The New Zealanders immediately saw combat and spent the next two and a half years taking part in the operations which led the [[United Nations]] forces back to and over the 38th Parallel, later recapturing [[Seoul]] in the process.
 
The majority of Kayforce had returned to New Zealand by 1955, though it was not until 1957 that the last New Zealand soldiers had left Korea. In all, about 4700 men served with Kayforce.<ref>'{{Cite web |title=Impact of the War', URL:war |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/korean-war/impact, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 17|access-Maydate=2024-201703-01 |website=nzhistory.govt.nz |language=en}}</ref>
 
In 1957, the [[9th Coast Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery]], was reduced to a [[Cadre (military)|cadre]] along with the other coastal artillery regiments ([[10th Coast Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery|10th]] and [[11th Coast Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery|11th]]).{{sfn|Cooke|Crawford|2011|pp=322-323}}{{sfn|Cooke|2016|pp=822-823}} Personnel were gradually run down until there was only a single supervisory District Gunner. All three were disbanded in 1967.
 
==== Irregular Warfarewarfare ====
Through the 1950s, New Zealand Army forces were deployed to the [[Malayan Emergency]], and the [[Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation|Confrontation with Indonesia]]. A [[Special Air Service]] squadron was raised for this commitment, but most forces came from the New Zealand infantry battalion in the Malaysia–Singapore area. The battalion was committed to the [[Far East Strategic Reserve]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/the-malayan-emergency|title=NZ and the Malayan Emergency}}</ref>
 
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==== Vietnam War ====
{{Main|Military history of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment during the Vietnam War}}
 
[[File:New Zealand soldier with an Australian M113 in South Vietnam during 1968.jpg|thumb|left|New Zealand soldier from W Company, RNZIR patrols in Vietnam, 1968]]
New Zealand sent troops to the [[Vietnam War]] in 1964 because of [[Cold War]] concerns and alliance considerations.
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* New Zealand Army Legal Service
* [[Royal New Zealand Military Police]]
* Royal New Zealand Army Education Corps (Disbanded)
* New Zealand Army Physical Training Corps (Disbanded)
* [[Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps]]
 
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A rationalisation plan to amalgamate the then existing six Reserve Regiments to three, and to abolish one third of Reserve personnel posts, had been mooted for some years. This was finally agreed by the New Zealand government in August 2011, and was implemented in 2012.<ref>"Up to 600 Territorial soldiers' jobs to go" Otago Daily Times 12 February 2012 http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/otago/197535/600-territorial-soldiers-jobs-go</ref><ref>"Battalion holds its Last Parade" Wanganui Chronicle 6 August 2012 http://www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz/news/battalion-holds-last-parade/1493375/</ref>
 
The [[New Zealand Scottish Regiment]], a Territorial Force regiment first established in January 1939, and perpetuating the battle honors of the [[Divisional Cavalry]] of the [[2nd New Zealand Division]], was finally disbanded in April 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-04-18 |title=New Zealand Scottish [NewZealand] |url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/newzealand/volmil/cav/nzscot.htm |access-date=2024-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070418235730/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/newzealand/volmil/cav/nzscot.htm; Malcolm|archive-date=18 ThomasApril and2007 Cliff Lord, ''New Zealand Army Distinguishing Patches 1911–1991'', {{ISBN|0-473-03288-0}}</ref> After a final parade on April 16, 2016, its Regimental
Colours were laid up in the [[Toitu Otago Settlers Museum]], Dunedin.<ref>{{cite web |author=Sean Brosnahan |date=8 July 2019 |title=Scottish ties still strong |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/lifestyle/magazine/scottish-ties-still-strong}}</ref>
 
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The high crowned [[Campaign hat]], nicknamed the "lemon squeezer" in New Zealand, was for decades the most visible national distinction. This was adopted by the [[Taranaki Regiment]] about 1911 and became general issue for all New Zealand units during the latter stages of World War I. The different branches of service were distinguished by coloured [[wikt:puggaree|puggaree]] or wide bands around the base of the crown (blue and red for artillery, green for mounted rifles, khaki and red for infantry etc.). The "lemon squeezer" was worn to a certain extent during World War II, although often replaced by more convenient forage caps or [[beret]]s, or helmets. After being in abeyance since the 1950s, the Campaign hat was reintroduced for ceremonial wear in 1977 for [[Officer cadet]]s and the [[New Zealand Army Band]].<ref>Malcolm Thomas and Cliff Lord, page 129 Part One, ''New Zealand Army Distinguishing Patches 1911–1991'', {{ISBN|0-473-03288-0}}</ref>
 
The [[M1 helmet|M1 steel helmet]] was the standard [[combat helmet]] from 1960 to 2000 although the "boonie hat," was common in overseas theatres, such as in the Vietnam War. New Zealand forces also used the U.S [[PASGT helmet]] until 2009 after which the Australian [[Enhanced Combat Helmet (Australia)|Enhanced Combat Helmet]] became the standard -issue helmet until 2019. The current combat helmet is the Viper P4 [[Advanced Combat Helmet]] by Revision Military.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.army.mil.nz/about-us/who-we-are/uniforms/soldier-protected-systems.htm|title=New Zealand Army}}</ref><ref>Baltlskin Viper P4 helmet https://www.revisionmilitary.com/en/head-systems/helmets/viper-p4-helmet</ref>
 
In the 1990s a universal pattern [[mess uniform]] replaced various regimental and corps mess dress uniforms previously worn. The mess uniform is worn by officers and senior NCOs for formal evening occasions.
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[[File:US Marine, New Zealand, Canadian service members exchange weapons during foreign weapons training 140720-M-LV138-323.jpg|thumb|The previous NZ Army MCU uniform, in service from 2013 to 2020.]]
NZDPM and NZDDPM were replaced in 2013 by a single camouflage pattern and a new uniform called the New Zealand Multi Terrain Camouflage Uniform (MCU.)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://army.mil.nz/downloads/pdf/army-news/armynews469.pdf|title = New Zealand Army}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mil.nz/about-us/who-we-are/structure/uniforms/multi-terrain-camo-uniform.htm|title=Multi-terrain Camouflage Uniform (MCU)|publisher=New Zealand Army }}</ref> The shirt remains in an ACU-style however the pants are based on the Crye G3 combat pant with removable knee pads, usually otherwise associated with [[Special Forces]] and [[Police tactical unit]] assault uniforms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bolty/library/MCU/MCU%20Trg%20pants?sort=3&page=1 |title=MCU Trg Pants by bolty |publisher=Photobucket }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://i0.wp.com/www.whaleoil.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/20130618_OH_D1033071_0008.jpg |title=20130618 OH D1033071 0008 |access-date=26 November 2019 |archive-date=23 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623045430/http://i0.wp.com/www.whaleoil.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/20130618_OH_D1033071_0008.jpg |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.army.mil.nz/nr/rdonlyres/48914ae1-e2b6-4257-91be-73babc86b8ce/0/oh_d1033071_0009.jpg|title = New Zealand Army}}</ref> The MCU, with the addition of a beret or sometimes the Mounted Rifles Hat, was the working uniform for all branches and divisions of the NZ Army, and certain units within the RNZN and RNZAF. After several years in service, modifications to the uniform have since followed with a change in material to Teredo<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.carrington.co.uk/en/fabric/teredo|title=Carrington Textiles &#124; Carrington}}</ref> (polyester/cotton twill) for both uniform and boonie hat, a return to covered buttons, and the removal of the elbow and knee pad pockets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://iacmc.forumotion.com/t10690-mcu-v2-changes-to-style-and-materail|title = MCU V2 Changes to style and materail}}</ref>
In late 2020, due to shortcomings and poor performances of the MCU uniform, the MCU's experienced issues such as the camouflage not working effectively in the New Zealand environment and poor quality of the uniform resulted in it detreating quickly from constant use. The New Zealand Army has begun replacing the MCUs with a new camouflage pattern called NZMTP, based on the British [[Multi-Terrain Pattern]] (MTP), using a Multicam colour palette, produced by Crye Precision in the United States. The new uniforms will revert to the 2008 cut and be manufactured locally.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/114713520/new-zealand-defence-force-switches-uniforms-following-review-and-complaints|title=New Zealand Defence Force switches uniforms following review and complaints|first=Matthew|last=Tso|publisher=Stuff|date=4 August 2019}}</ref>
 
Uniform accessories such as plate carriers, webbing, belts and wet weather clothing will be purchased in MultiCam pattern to source using the current market and reduce costs.
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=== Infantry ===
The New Zealand Army's primary service weapon is the [[Lewis Machine and Tool Company|Modular Assault Rifle System - Light (MARS-L)]] assault rifle, which is used by all service branches of the [[New Zealand Defence Force]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Modular Assault Rifle System – Light (MARS-L) |url=https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/army/our-equipment/firepower/lewis-machine-and-tools-modular-assault-rifle-system-light-mars-l/ |access-date=2022-08-29 |website=New Zealand Defence Force |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Better tools the MARS-L assault rifle System|url=https://army.mil.nz/downloads/pdf/army-news/armynews479.pdf|journal=New Zealand Army News|date=February 2017|pages=8-98–9|issue=479|issn=1170-4411|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405210149/https://army.mil.nz/downloads/pdf/army-news/armynews479.pdf|archive-date=5 April 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The weapon can be equipped with accessories such as an [[Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight|ACOG]] sight, [[M203 grenade launcher]] or [[M7 bayonet]]. Some soldiers are equipped with the [[L129A1|Designated Marksman Weapon (DMW)]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Designated Marksman Weapon (DMW) |url=https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/army/our-equipment/firepower/designated-marksman-weapon-dmw-7-62mm-rifle/ |access-date=2022-08-29 |website=www.nzdf.mil.nz |language=en-NZ}}</ref> equipped with a telescopic [[Leupold & Stevens]] sight allowing for increased accuracy at range. The [[Glock|Glock 17]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Glock G17 Gen 4 |url=https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/army/our-equipment/firepower/glock-g17-gen-4/ |access-date=2022-08-29 |website=www.nzdf.mil.nz |language=en-NZ}}</ref> is used as a sidearm.
 
Supporting fire is provided by [[FN Minimi]], [[FN MAG|MAG 58]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=MAG 58 - 7.62mm Machine Gun |url=https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/army/our-equipment/firepower/mag-58-7-62mm-machine-gun/ |access-date=2022-08-29 |website=www.nzdf.mil.nz |language=en-NZ}}</ref> and [[M2 Browning]] machine guns, while the [[Barrett MRAD]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=MRAD Sniper Rifle |url=https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/army/our-equipment/firepower/mrad-sniper-rifle/ |access-date=2022-08-29 |website=www.nzdf.mil.nz |language=en-NZ}}</ref> and [[Barrett M82|Barrett M107A1]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=M107A1 Anti-Materiel Rifle |url=https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/army/our-equipment/firepower/barrett-m107a1-anti-materiel-rifle/ |access-date=2022-08-29 |website=www.nzdf.mil.nz |language=en-NZ}}</ref> sniper rifles are used in a sniper rifle and anti-materiel rifle role. The [[Benelli M3]] shotgun and [[Heckler & Koch GMG|40mm Grenade Machine Gun (GMG)]] are additionally available in a supporting role.
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=== Mortars and artillery ===
The [[Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery]] is equipped with several light mortar and artillery systems. Indirect fire is provided through the use of 60&nbsp;mm and 81mm81&nbsp;mm mortar systems with the [[Hirtenberger M6]], [[Hirtenberger M8]] and [[L16 81mm mortar|L16A2]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=L16A2, 81mm Mortar |url=https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/army/our-equipment/firepower/l16a2-81mm-mortar/ |access-date=2022-08-29 |website=www.nzdf.mil.nz |language=en-NZ}}</ref> The British [[L118 light gun|L119 light gun]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=L119, 105mm Light Gun |url=https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/army/our-equipment/firepower/l119-105mm-light-gun/ |access-date=2022-08-29 |website=www.nzdf.mil.nz |language=en-NZ}}</ref> is operated in the artillery role.
 
=== Armour ===
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== Commemorations ==
'''NZNew Zealand Army Day''' is celebrated on 25 March, the anniversary of the daydate in 1845 when the New Zealand Legislative Council passed the first Militia Act on 25 March 1845 constituting the New Zealand Army.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Corbett |first=David Ashley |title=The regimentalRegimental badgesBadges of New Zealand,: anAn illustratedIllustrated historyHistory of the badgesBadges and insigniaInsignia wornWorn by the New Zealand Army |date=1980 |publisher=R. Richards |isbn=0908596057 |edition=Rev. and enl. |location=Auckland |oclc=14030948 |quotation=New Zealand Army Day is celebrated on 25 March, the anniversary of the day in 1845 when the Legislative Council passed the first Militia Act constituting the New Zealand Army.}}</ref>
 
[[ANZAC Day]] is the main annual commemorative activity for New Zealand soldiers. On 25 April each year the landings at Gallipoli are remembered, though the day has come to mean remembering the fallen from all wars in which New Zealand has been involved. While a New Zealand public holiday, it is a duty day for New Zealand military personnel, who, even if not involved in official commemorative activities are required to attend an ANZAC Day Dawn Parade in ceremonial uniform in their home location.
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== Bibliography ==
{{refbegin}}
*{{Cite book|last=Cooke|first=Peter|title=Defending New Zealand: Ramparts on the Seas 1840-1950s|publisher=Defence of New Zealand Study Group|year=2016|location=Wellington|isbn=978-0-473-06833-2}}
* {{cite book |last1=Cooke|first1=Peter |last2=Crawford |first2 = John |title=The Territorials: The History of the Territorial and Volunteer Forces of New Zealand |year=2011 |publisher=Random House |location=Auckland |isbn=9781869794460 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Crawford|first1=John |last2=Harper |first2=Glyn |title=Operation East Timor: The New Zealand Defence Force in East Timor 1999–2001 |publisher=Reed Publishing |location=Auckland |year=2001 |isbn=0790008238 }}
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