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Army

Military Police

Characterised by variety and independence, the MP role could see you: preventing crime in Defence Areas within New Zealand, as a bodyguard to senior military officers overseas, investigating homicides in foreign countries, training foreign police forces, or more.

Mō te tūranga

About the role

  • Specialisations

    Safety Management & Emergency Response

  • Entry type

    General entry

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Location

    Varied

As Military Police (MP), your job is to protect the Defence Force’s people and resources from crime and keep them safe in New Zealand and overseas. You will work alongside colleagues in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Police and Naval Police as a highly trained specialist, providing police expertise to the Defence Force community and in combat environments. 

You will need to be highly motivated and trustworthy, as you will often be the one in control at incidents. Your attention to detail and ability to adapt under pressure will be required whether you’re investigating crimes or providing close protection in high-risk situations. High standards of behaviour are expected of an MP at all times. 

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.
  • NZ Class 1 Full Driver Licence with no traffic convictions.

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 SV 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.

NZ Army - Military Police

“Last year on my way to work I attended a traffic accident. I was first on the scene and everything I learnt as a Military Policeman became second nature.”

  • Job on base

    You will spend your days policing the defence community. This could see you preventing crime, responding to incidents, or conducting investigations. As an MP, you are soldier and police, so you conduct ongoing training in weapons, medical, and other combat skills is a requirement to keep you ready for deployments. You will also work closely with Air Force, Navy and New Zealand Police in a variety of locations within New Zealand.

  • Job on deployment

    MP soldiers also deploy overseas as required. You will put your policing skills to use investigating insurgent actions, providing policing training to local police agencies, or protecting senior New Zealand military officers. You could also be policing coalition forces on multinational bases, or deploying at short notice to incidents involving New Zealand Defence Force troops.

Career progression and training

01Job Training

02Ongoing Training

03Specialist 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

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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
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The application process

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

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Ready to start your Army career?

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Tūranga whaipānga

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