Join Us

New recruits must:

• Be aged 13 to 15 (or aged 12 and in Year 9)

• Agree to abide by the Cadet Forces Code of Conduct and Squadron Standing Orders

To make cadets accessible, there is no fee required to join. Instead we ask for a $50 donation per term (payable once your cadet has completed their first 4 weeks).

We provide most of our uniform for free (on the condition that it is returned if/when you leave), however name badges need to be printed for each new cadet at a cost of $25 (you can keep these when you leave).

Weekend activities often do have an associated cost as well (to cover food, accomodation etc). We do try to keep costs down, but flying activities are generally the most expensive. It is important to note that flying activities are entirely optional, and there is still a lot to be gained by attending other lower cost activities. 

Some examples of standard activity costs (subject to change):

• Shooting Day - $5

• Bushcraft Weekend - $15

• Basic Training Weekend - $35

• Gliding - $65

• Flying - $107.5

No. 2 (Hutt City) Squadron parades (meets) every Thursday night, during the school term. Our parade night are from 6:15pm until 9pm. 

Cadets need to be free to attend the majority of parade nights, so keep your Thursday nights free!

A typical parade night will start with a squadron parade where students march onto the parade ground and raise the ensign (flag) to signify the start of the parade night. Then you will have your first lesson, it might be on navigation for the upcoming bushcraft camp. Then its break time - you get a chance to relax and catch up with your friends. Next up, its period two - this time you might be learning about firearms safety so that you can participate in the next unit shooting activity. Lastly, we'll finish with a squadron briefing where you are informed of all the upcoming activities and then its home time!

In addition to parade nights, we run a variety of activities on weekends or in the school holidays - plenty of notice is given for these. 

Examples of activities include recruit training, target shooting, bushcraft, navigation, competitions, flying, community service and more. Some activities involve an overnight stay - we call these camps.

Activities are not compulsory, but are usually considered the most enjoyable aspect of Air Cadets. Cadets usually find it quite easy to manage sporting commitments around weekend activities.​ See standard activity costs in the Cost section above.

On your typcial weekend camp, you will arrive in the evening, have a camp briefing and then maybe squeeze in an activity or two before bed. You'll be up early the next morning - we often start the day with some PT (physical training) and then into the main activity for the day - be it flying, bushcraft, drill or something else! At the end of the day, once its dark we often do a Night Exercise - every Night Ex is different - you might be sneaking past the enemy, rescuing a high-value target or hunting down the enemy. On the last day you'll do more of the camp activity and then pack up and go home!

You will wear a uniform similar to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), with rank slides distinguishing you as a cadet from the Airforce. Uniform is to be worn every week to Air Training Corps (ATC) parade nights and at other formal occasions such as ANZAC Day parades.

Our uniform is:

• Provided for free, but must be returned if you resign from Air Cadets (apart from the $35 cost of name badgets which are yours to keep)

• To be worn as per RNZAF standards

• Worn only on cadet activities

• You'll need to provide your own black leather shoes and black or blue socks

As a parent or future cadet you are bound to have plenty of questions about the New Zealand Cadet Forces. This site should give you an overview of the activities, structure and expectations we have of our cadets, as well as outline the process to join. 

What is the New Zealand Cadet Forces?

The New Zealand Cadet Forces (NZCF or Cadet Forces) is a voluntary, uniformed, youth organisation which provides military-style leadership, personal development opportunities and adventure based training to youth aged between 13 and 19 years old. 

Cadet Forces is made up of three corps - Sea Cadets, Army Cadets and Air Cadets. There are NZCF units all over the country, each belonging to one of the three corps. 2 Squadron is the Lower Hutt Air Cadet Unit. Lower Hutt also has a Sea Cadet Unit and an Army Cadet Unit.

Can both girls and boys join?

Yes.

How long can I serve for?

The majority of cadets serve for up to four years. After that, if you are a senior cadet who has qualified on your leadership courses, you can serve as a cadet until the day before your 20th birthday, provided you hold and maintain a valid NZ Police and NZDF Security Vetting Clearance prior to your 18th birthday.

What if I’m not too fit?

There is no requirement to meet a specific level of fitness to join Cadets. However, like many activities, if you are fit you will get greater enjoyment from your experiences.

Do I have to stay if I find Cadets is not for me?

No, you volunteer to enter Cadet Forces and you can leave at any time.

What if I move town, can I join another Unit?

Yes, there are over 95 Units across New Zealand that you could transfer to.

What does the New Zealand Defence Force provide cadets with?

The NZDF provides you with a uniform, except for dress uniform footwear. They supply our Defence Force advisors and organise and fund week long leadership courses you may be selected to attend. They also provide the subjects you will study.

What opportunities do the New Zealand Cadet Forces offer?

Cadets take part in unique adventurous, fulfilling and educational activities in a military-like environment. Through these activities, cadets get the chance to develop a sense of purpose, responsibility, self confidence, self respect, self discipline, self reliance, leadership ability, and commitment to voluntary service.

Many former cadets comment that the cadet experience helped to develop them as an individual, achieve personal growth, leadership qualities and provide them with a sense of community service.

What will I do at cadet training activities?

You will be offered inspiring and challenging military-like experiences. You will learn valuable life and work skills that will open up new possibilities, opportunities and career options. You will be part of a team, develop leadership and survival skills, make new friends, experience challenges and learn to take responsibility.

Cadet Training

As a cadet, their training program will include citizenship training, safe firearms handling, bush survival and field craft, first aid, drill and ceremonial, communications, navigational and map reading skills, leadership, physical training, Cadet Forces and General Service Knowledge. Depending on your chosen Corps you will also learn and enjoy sailing and maritime skills, advanced field craft skills, and aviation activities including powered flying and gliding. Cadets can even have the opportunity to travel overseas on International Air Cadet Exchanges and experience different cultures.

How is Cadet Training undertaken?

Cadet training and experiences are modelled along military lines. Activities are organised by Units as part of their yearly training programs. All activities are reviewed to ensure they will be safe and that they meet all the policies and procedures. They are then approved by qualified and trained Cadet Force Officers or New Zealand Defence Force staff attached to Cadet Forces prior to cadets undertaking these activities.

Part of cadet training is to attend a weekly 3 - 4 hour parade at their Unit after school hours and on some weekends. Throughout the year, Cadet Units conduct weekend camps, training days and activities, and support Anzac Day as well as local services and ceremonies.

Cadet regional camps and courses are usually conducted on weekends and during school holidays. Some courses offered to cadets include: leadership, marksmanship training, gliding, power flying, navigation, primary skills competitions.

Who instructs cadets?

Officers and Instructors participating in the New Zealand Cadet Forces include:

• Former and current members of the New Zealand Defence Force

• Specialist personnel

• Teachers

• Fire, Ambulance and Police officers

• Managers and executives from a wide range of Government departments and private companies

• Parents and community organisation members

• Former New Zealand Cadet Force Cadets

How are adult staff selected?

To become an Officer or Adult Instructor within the New Zealand Cadet Forces, members must satisfy some or all of the following pre-requisites in line with the position they hold: completion of a formal application, obtain an unencumbered clearance from the New Zealand Police, obtain a Vulnerable Children’s Act clearance, attend a predetermined number of training nights, complete online training packages and then pass a Selection Board interview before being interviewed and approved by a senior New Zealand Defence Force officer.

Officers are required to attend training courses in health and safety, first aid, equity and diversity, adolescent behaviour, acceptable behaviour, mandatory reporting, duty of care, managerial decision making, youth development philosophies, legal and societal practices and procedures, military etiquette, instructional techniques, and Code of Conduct Training.

2 Squadron is always looking for new staff, so if you are interested please make contact with us!

How safe is my child?

Your child’s safety has top priority accepting that no activity can be entirely risk free.

All Officers undergo formal training in risk management on their Commissioning Course. This course includes NZQA risk management unit standards to learn how to minimise risk for your child while involved in NZCF activities.

Before they are permitted to take groups into the bush all officers have to qualify on the NZCF Fieldcraft Course. This course also incorporates First Aid training.

Our Sea Cadet Officers undergo Maritime Activity Supervisors courses which contribute to their Yachting New Zealand Club Instructor Certificate. They are also required to qualify on the RNZ Coast Guard Day Skippers and Boat Master qualifications.

All officers are required to qualify on New Zealand Defence Force conducted firearms safety, range safety and shooting coaching courses before they are allowed to conduct any form of firearms safety training. All cadets complete the same firearms safety course before they are allowed to handle and shoot with NZCF firearms.

However, no activity can be completely risk free. Cadet Forces officers are trained to recognise and minimise risk to a point where it does not impact negatively on your child’s learning experiences.

How is bullying and harassment managed?

The NZCF does not tolerate unacceptable behaviour of any kind. All cadets and staff have basic rights and obligations to participate in activities free of harassment and discrimination, and operate in a non-discriminatory, fair and safe environment. The NZCF Code of Conduct defines appropriate codes of ethical behaviour and provides guidelines for preventing, managing and reporting breaches of these codes. All Cadets and Staff sign up to a Code of Conduct.

Do I have to join the Armed Forces when I leave?

No, Cadet Forces is a youth development organisation and is not part of NZ Defence Forces.

Can I get NZQA credits for my learning while in Cadets?

Yes. Many cadet units are incorporating NZQA unit standards into their training programme. You can have the units you achieve placed on your NZQA record of learning after you have paid the credit recording fee.

Will being a cadet help me get into the Armed Forces when I leave school?

Cadet Forces is not a recruiting arm of the New Zealand Defence Force. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that young people who serve with Cadet Forces seem to adapt more readily to life in the Armed Forces.

Does Cadets provide help with career options?

Yes. Cadets provides your child life and decision making skills, so they can meet almost any challenge. The career opportunities open to Cadets are endless.

Will I be sent overseas to fight?

Definitely not.