New Zealand military ranks


New Zealand military ranks are largely based on those of the United Kingdom. The three forces have their own rank structure, with a rank equivalency that allows seamless interoperability between the services. All three services form part of the New Zealand Defence Force.

Commissioned officers

Rank insignias

The rank insignia for commissioned officers for the navy, army, and air force respectively.

Non-commissioned personnel

Note: naval enlisted personnel are referred to by both rank and trade. Thus a sailor employed as a chef would hold the rank of ordinary chef ; a warrant officer with a trade of weapon technician would hold the rank of warrant officer weapon technician.

Rank insignias

The rank insignia for enlisted personnel for the navy, army, and air force respectively.

Definitions

Non-commissioned officer

A non-commissioned officer is defined as:

Commissioned officers

Officers of the New Zealand Defence Force are commissioned by the governor general on behalf of the New Zealand Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II. See also Officer. Salutes rendered to officers by junior officers and enlisted personnel are indirect salutes to the sovereign, based on the officer holding the monarch's authority.

Higher flag ranks and ceremonial ranks

Appointments to the most senior ranks are ceremonial, for the head of state and members of the royal family.