Welcome to Mission Homefront

We are an independent voice, dedicated to supporting and advocating for the welfare and conditions of service for all serving New Zealand Defence Force Sailors, Soldiers and Aviators, and their whānau.

  • “We are in the middle of an attrition crisis. We as soldiers, expect suffering, poor conditions, and hardship, while training and on deployment. We join knowing that this is the reality of the life we are choosing. We generally join so that our fellow countrymen don’t have to go through that. Nobody is told before we join, that our partners and children will suffer that same burden with us, and they’ll suffer it regardless of us being in garrison or on deployment. They endure field conditions in our ‘homes’, all year round, and they didn’t sign up for this. Why would we stay?”

  • "The NZDF has removed the people focus and the heart of what it means to be a member of the military, with its penny pinching and staff culling."

  • "We loved the value of living in a community on base- we went though many deployments. Houses on base are now empty, the community is gone and I feel so sad for families going it alone without the support network."

  • “I found it extremely challenging to find support when my husband was away for eight months. As this period was not classified as a "deployment," accessing the necessary support during this difficult time in our relationship was challenging.

    Consequently, I now experience PTSD each time we are separated due to his career.

    While I have learned to cope, I believe that timely support could have prevented this major challenge, which affects my ability to work and maintain our marriage effectively.”

  • “The pay for what I do does not effectively remunerate me for my tasks.

    I am a [rank redacted] in a unit that is funded and has positions for five [rank redacted], yet I am the only one and many of my peers are in the same position.

    We are expected to gap fill and cover these vacant positions and it leaves us wondering 'there must be better options out there’.”

  • "Service personnel are treated as disposable people. Not irreplaceable family members. They need to start paying them what they are worth."

At Mission Homefront, we are committed to the wellbeing of New Zealand’s service personnel and their whānau.

Our mission is to strengthen the foundations of the New Zealand Defence Force - its people.

We are passionate about representing our Sailors, Soldiers and Aviators to the highest levels of Government and providing practical assistance, advice and fostering morale.

Mission Homefront’s submission statistics

  • 62%

    say substandard housing and accommodation is making adults and children sick, including short-term sicknesses, chronic respiratory illnesses and consistent hospital admissions, as well as stress and mental health issues.

  • 73%

    of respondents say their houses have black mould, dampness and draughts.

    Meanwhile a further 43% feel their houses are too cold and not insulated properly.

  • 55%

    of respondents report they don’t have enough support, welfare, whanau and mental health assistance to navigate the nature of military life.

  • 57%

    report they are struggling with inadequate salaries leading to financial problems, unable to afford bills, keep up with the increased living costs, and rental increases.

Our Sailors, Soldiers, and Aviators Deserve Better

New Zealand’s military personnel hold a unique position in our society.

In swearing the Oath or Affirmation, military personnel (and their whānau by default) agree to: Renounce significant employment rights (freedom of association, salary negotiation, participation in industrial action, limitations on the ability to leave, and the potential compulsion to return to service).

Be subject to military discipline at all times (which is over and above normal consequences expected by employees from their employers).

And can be compelled to: Be away from home, or to shift their home base, to undertake their duties – for days, weeks, months or years.

Undertake arduous and hazardous duties up to and including combat operations, which may be life threatening or result in loss of life.

Perform additional duties outside of the scope of their trade, such as security patrolling, assisting with provision of humanitarian aid and disaster relief, military parades, and community outreach.

This enables the government to protect and defend the sovereignty of New Zealand, respond to national emergencies, provide humanitarian aid and conduct military operations and peacekeeping operations in response to international requests.