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Chaplain

As a Chaplain of the Royal New Zealand Navy, you are appointed to provide ministry to Navy personnel (both military and civilian) and their families. You are expected to be a friend and advisor to all. It is a unique ministry which can take you to the four corners of the earth, on sea, or land deployments, wherever Navy personnel are required to serve. You are an integral part of the RNZN and NZDF Team.

You are responsible at both official and personal levels, for conducting religious services and ceremonial duties. You are also required to provide spiritual, religious and moral advice and assist with life-skills education. You are there to provide pastoral care to all personnel. You need to be available to assist in times of crisis or emergency, both at the personal and organisational level and are expected to observe a high level of confidentiality.

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Pre-joining Requirements
Career Progression
Career Progression Chart

Pre-joining Requirements

Be a minimum of 17 years of age
Have completed at least three years of secondary education
Be a NZ citizen or have permanent residency and have lived in NZ for five years
Be medically fit for service
Be of good character – assessed by study of testimonials and a police record check
Be free of any criminal convictions for the previous two years

You must be ordained clergy in good standing with your respective Churches, with at least five years full time ministry experience after Ordination (or the equivalent). Appointments are made as required from ordained clergy approved by the Chaplain’s Defence Advisory Council, which is comprised of representatives of various churches and the Principal Chaplains of the New Zealand Defence Force. You will be expected to pass both the routine medical examination and the fitness test. The initial appointment is for five years with the first year being probationary.

Career Progression
You will complete Junior Officer Common Training Course on joining, however this will most likely be limited to the latter half. Naval Chaplains carry no rank but you are normally commissioned on entry as Chaplain Class 4 (Lieutenant equivalent), with your salary and seniority in rank dependant upon previous ministry experience. Your progress through the Chaplaincy Classes, with each Chaplaincy Class corresponding to an Officer rank level, is essentially a time-based system, although time in rank does not guarantee progression to the next class.

Career Progression Chart

Chaplain Career Progression Chart