Back
NZA Gunner Hero

Army

Gunner (Combat Specialist)

In the heart of the action, you will provide the indirect fire support for the NZ Army as part of a team operating the 105mm light gun.

Mō te tūranga

About the role

  • Specialisations

    Combat & Special Operations

  • Entry type

    General entry

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Location

    Linton

For future intakes, you will join the Army as a Combat Specialist and operate in a range of different environments. You will be introduced to the strategy and skills for combat, before branching into GunnerInfantry or an Armoured soldier towards the end of basic training.

As a Gunner you will become a soldier within the Royal Regiment of the New Zealand Artillery (RNZA), a Corps with a long and proud history.

You will be part of the Unit that provides and directs a wide range of fire support for our Defence Force. In the Artillery you not only have the opportunity to operate the L119 Light Gun and L16 Mortar, our large calibre indirect fire weapons that support combat operations, but you could also direct fire support from helicopters, aircraft and naval vessels.

You will train in the combat and technical skills required to deliver direct and indirect fire, which we call ‘Offensive Support’. This means more than just firing artillery barrages to suppress a threat – it means protecting the force, coordinating military fire-power, gathering information, illuminating the battlefield, and identifying targets.

The L119 Light Gun is a sophisticated and complex weapon system. You could be a part of a highly skilled, tight-knit gun detachment consisting of seven personnel that can be transported a number of ways, including in the in service operational vehicle of a medium lift helicopter. The L16 Mortar is a lightweight man-portable weapon system, requiring you to operate in small teams under tactical conditions, either with a vehicle, on foot or infiltrated by helicopter.

Another stream within the Gunner trade you can take is the Command Systems Operator. This where you will be part of a team, who are located close to the weapon systems, receiving and predicting radio and digital target information using specialist equipment to compute the data. This information is then transmitted to the guns and mortars ensuring they provide accurate fire on the correct target at the correct time.

Alternatively, you can train within the Targeting stream. This stream of the Gunner trade operates in a small team environment of six personnel that are usually located with the forward most Infantry elements; finding, observing and directing artillery fire onto a target via radio and digital communication suites.

Accepting Applications

  • Recruit Regular Force 417, starts 07 Jul 2025 Apply by 24 Mar 2025

    Apply Now

Requirements

Basics

  • Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
  • Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.

Education

  • 3 years secondary school.

Note, qualifications may be used to assess trade suitability.

Citizenship

There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required CV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.

Period of Service

There may be a return of service period for this trade.

Please contact our 0800 number or talk to your Candidate Experience Facilitator for more information.

We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.

Gunners hitch a ride

“Once we get into position the guns will come into action which means they’re ready to fire.”

  • Job on base

    Whilst in camp you will conduct training, routine equipment maintenance and other unit tasks. Your training will cover soldiering, weapons, tactics, communications, leadership and driving. Being a Gunner is a physically demanding role so expect to continue to develop your physical fitness, and there are regular opportunities to play sport.

    Within the Gunner trade you will specialise in weapons, targeting or command systems. Your tasks will vary from loading and firing the L119, driving LOVs to tactically manoeuvre your weapon detachment, using specialist equipment to compute firing data, using specialist equipment to gather meteorological data, or setting up observation posts and calling in fire from land, air and naval weapon systems.

    You can expect to train extensively in New Zealand, and we conduct overseas training exercises with our allied militaries in Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, UK and USA.

  • Job on deployment

    Gunners are deployed overseas whenever the need arises, if not in a purely artillery role, then in infantry and liaison type roles where you can still put your artillery skills to good use. There is also potential to be deployed in support of humanitarian or disaster relief operations both here in New Zealand or around the Pacific.

    Over the last 20 years Gunners have deployed on operations in Bosnia, East Timor, Egypt, Afghanistan, and the Solomon Islands. Tasks can range from establishing and maintaining cordons in a civil defence situation, such as the recent Christchurch earthquakes, to conducting force protection patrols or calling in air support in high-threat environments, such as in Afghanistan.

Career progression and training

01Basic Training

02Job Training

03Ongoing Training

04Career Progression

Benefits & allowances

Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.

In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:

  • Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
  • Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
  • Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
  • Opportunities to travel
  • Free and subsidised medical and dental care
  • Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
  • Free and subsidised insurance cover
  • Help to buy a home and save for retirement

Salary & benefits

Careers in the Army are well-rewarded, diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, your salary will rise accordingly.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $98,000

20220909 NZDF R1055140 008 v2

Am I fit enough?

If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.

Medical & Fitness
NZA soldiers 20230512 012

The application process

Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.

Application process
army generic base for roles

Ready to start your Army career?

APPLY NOW

Tūranga whaipānga

Related Roles

Army Armoured 1

Army

  • Active Intakes

Armoured (Combat Specialist)

Combat & Special Operations

General entry

There is no other trade like that of being Armoured. You will be trained to operate and fight from within an armoured vehicle and trained in mounted reconnaissance.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $98,000

  • Location

    Linton | Palmerston North

Army Infantry 7

Army

  • Active Intakes

Infantry (Combat Specialist)

Combat & Special Operations

General entry

As Infantry, you are a front line soldier, and the backbone of Army service.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $98,000

  • Location

    Palmerston North and Christchurch