Compulsory Military Training in New Zealand

Compulsory Military Training (CMT) has been adopted in New Zealand on a number of occasions.

First Introduced

CMT was first introduced in New Zealand with the Defence Act of 1909. It applied to all males from 14 – 21 years throughout New Zealand.

World War I

There were increasing criticisms of CMT voiced in Parliament, however the outbreak of war in 1914, provided sufficient justification for CMT. In mid-war, Conscription was introduced by the Military Services Bill (June 10 1916).

Between World Wars

CMT was abolished in 1932 due to economic reasons.

World War II

The compulsory sections of the Defence Act were not invoked again until nine months after the outbreak of World War II in September 1939. Under the National Service Emergency Regulations of 1940, conscription was reintroduced. Anyone aged between 18 and 46 became liable to be called up by ballot.

1945 to 1970s

On 25 May 1949, Prime Minister Peter Fraser, announced that a referendum would be held. This was held on 3 August 1949 and strongly approved the reintroduction of CMT (77.9% (553,016 votes) in favour, 22.1% (152,443 votes) against.

Under the Compulsory Military Training Act of 1949 all males became liable for military service upon reaching 18 years of age. This took effect in 1950, all men aged 18 and over being required to register with the Department of Labour and Employment. Apart from those exempted for medical or compassionate reasons, all had to undergo 14 weeks intensive, full-time training, three years part-time service, followed by six years on the Army Reserve.

All trainees were allowed the option of serving with the Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force or the New Zealand Army.

The first CMT Intake marched in for training in 1950. A total of 63,033 men were trained under the CMT scheme before it was abolished by the Labour Government in early 1958.

In 1960 National, under Keith Holyoake, was elected and CMT was reinstated in 1962, however this time it was called National Service. Under the provisions of the National Service Act all males were required to register on their 20th birthday with the Department of Labour. Ballots, based upon dates of birth, were then conducted to decide who would undertake compulsory service. Those selected were required to complete three months initial full-time training, followed by an annual commitment of three weeks part-time training for another 3 years. The first National Service intake marched in for training on 10 March 1962.

In 1972, Labour under Norman Kirk ended compulsory national service, as a result of a campaign of civil disobedience and lobbying by the Organisation to Halt Military Service ("OHMS", a pun on both resistance and "On Her Majesty's Service").

Since 1972

Since 1972 the three branches of the New Zealand Defence Force, (Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force and the New Zealand Army) are all volunteer services; there is no form of conscription.