History

Reserve Forces in New Zealand have a long and proud history. We began in the mid-nineteenth century when part-time militia and naval units were raised throughout the country. Air Force part-time units came to prominence after World War II. Modern Reserve units maintain historical geographic links and have close ties with local communities.

Our troops have been involved in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations including from Korea to Kosovo, and Bosnia to Bougainville, since the founding of the UN at the end of World War II. Reserves have served overseas in all the major operational commitments in the twentieth century, and we will become increasingly important in the twenty-first century.