Support for
Employers of Reservists
Reservists are part-time members of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) who balance employment or study commitments in their life outside of the military.
Reservists can be a member of the Navy, Army or Air Force.
Trained to step up
Reservists assist across many areas of the NZDF, receive training and may bring their own unique civilian skills to the role. They are a valuable supplement to the regular force (full time personnel) and could be involved in community projects, disaster management or military deployments, including United Nations peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.
Reservists are trained in:
- Specialist qualifications in areas such as advanced driving, first aid and the transportation of hazardous materials
- Leadership training aligned with globally recognised military standards
- Operational risk management and decision-making under pressure
- Preparation for ceremonial duties as required by operational commitments
- Developing physical and mental resilience to support performance in high-stress environments
- Weapons handling and marksmanship training in accordance with military safety protocols
- Participation in annual field exercises to maintain deployment readiness
- Involvement in military sporting programmes that promote discipline, fitness and cohesion
Your business can benefit directly from a range of transferable skills
Trained for life
Reservists gain valuable attributes from their military training, which transfer into their civilian life and employment.
Reservists can bring transferable attributes to your workplace, such as:
- Communication skills
- Effective time and resource management
- Problem-solving under pressure
- Working effectively in a team
- Working with positivity and resilience
- Displaying leadership attributes
- Maintaining self discipline
- Confidence
- Fitness and wellbeing
- An expanded professional network
Reservists bring specialist skills
Reservists can bring key skills from their civilian employment that are invaluable to the NZDF. Using specialist skills and developing them in a new environment can benefit the reservist, the NZDF, employers and the wider community.
By supporting Reservists in your workforce, you'll be giving back to New Zealand communities
Military leave requirements
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Reservists attend training for a minimum of 20 days per year.
This service is conducted mainly on weekends (Friday evening to Sunday evening) but sometimes progression courses are held during the week. These courses will often benefit employers, as training courses develop new skills and sharpen competencies, which can transfer directly back into your business.
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Reservists attend annual field exercises and other development courses.
These courses may run through the course of the working week. The exercises often benefit employers by building transferable skills, offering increased engagement and enthusiasm on return, and a sharpened level of health and fitness.
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Reservists may serve on a deployment.
Deployments can range in length, location and requirements. If a reservist in your employment is looking to deploy either domestically or internationally, their absence may be felt in your workplace. In supporting a reservist through their deployment, you will be directly giving back to New Zealand. However, we understand that the commercial environment is tough and we encourage employees to have open conversations about what a deployment might mean for your workplace.
Military leave questions
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Do I have to let them go?
Yes. Under the Volunteers Employment Protection Act (VEPA) 1973, you must allow your employee to attend military training for up to three weeks per year as leave without pay. However, Reserve Force service is conducted mainly on evenings or weekends (Friday evening to Sunday evening) with progression courses and exercises occasionally held during the week. Access the Volunteers Employment Protection Act (VEPA) 1973 here(external link)
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How will I know when they have training?
Reservists are required to give at least 14 days notice when requesting release from employers. Although, the nature of the Defence Force is that things can change, so a little flexibility can go a long way. We understand that the commercial environment is tough, and that different situations need different solutions. That’s why we encourage employees to negotiate an acceptable solution with you, their employer.
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Will it cost me?
Employers are encouraged to top-up pay where the Reservist’s military pay is less than the normal civilian pay, however, this is not mandatory.
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Can I terminate their employment?
No. The civil employment of volunteers training with the NZDF is protected by the Volunteers Employment Protection Act (VEPA) 1973.(external link)