Reservists get paid for the time they spend as a member of the Naval Reserves.  They enjoy the opportunity to work with the regular force at sea, ashore or overseas on peacekeeping missions. There are around 300 people in the Naval Reserves.  The information below outlines the role of each branch.

Seaman
The generic name Seaman applies to both men and women. The Seaman's jobs are many and varied, ranging from preparing meals for eighteen hungry sailors to steering the ship, acting as lookout, maintaining upper deck equipment, line handling, and a score of other tasks. As a member of the sea service you can expect to be trained in damage control, seamanship and weapon handling. You will be constantly finding new skills as your vessel performs multi-agency taskings with the customs service, fisheries or conservation departments.

Maritime Trade Organisation (MTO)
The Maritime Trade Organisation is a specialist area that is run for the Navy solely by the Naval Reserve. MTO Team provides a key interface between the New Zealand Defence Force and the maritime industry. Services delivered include port based liaison, boarding and briefing of merchant vessels' Masters, vessel tracking and maritime operational analysis.

MTO specialists and officers come from varied backgrounds and have diverse skills that range from merchant ship and port operations, stevedoring, ship brokerage, IT, maritime law and languages through to analysts with skills in political science, strategic studies, history and geography qualifications. The interface with our shipping, port industries and related authorities is a vital area that impacts upon New Zealand's trading ability and maritime security.

As a member of the MTO team you need to be prepared to work at locations throughout New Zealand, including periods as part of the team at Headquarters, Joint Forces New Zealand, located at Trentham. The MTO Branch is developing, and can provide some opportunities for overseas experience and training as well as sea time.

Technical
The Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve recruits engineers from the mechanical and electrical/electronic specialisations. If you plan to join the Naval Reserve as an Engineering Rating, you will have completed a trade qualification, be well on the way to completion, or have an appropriate university degree from the mechanical and/or electrical/electronic specialisations.

There are opportunities to become a technical officer or rating where you would be responsible for maintaining and operating a range of systems aboard the IPV’s and other vessels.

Apply Now
Intakes are managed annually and close out dates vary from year to year.