Defence (Workforce) Amendment Bill
This bill changes the rules about when the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) — the military — can step in and do the work of civilian staff who are on strike. It creates a new process allowing the Minister of Defence to order military personnel to cover the jobs of civilian NZDF workers during a strike, if national security or safety is at risk. It also extends the time the military can cover striking government workers from 14 days to 30 days.
What this affects
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The bill changes the rules around what happens during strikes by Defence Force civilian workers or other government workers, including how long the military can be called in to cover their jobs.
No part of the Armed Forces may be used to perform work of the Civil Staff in connection with an industrial dispute except in accordance with the authority of the Minister.
it increases from 14 to 30 the number of days for which the Minister of Defence may authorise the Armed Forces to conduct the work of public service employees
Progress through Parliament
Have your say
This bill is open for public submissions to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee. Anyone can tell the committee what they think, and you don’t need to be an expert. Submissions close 4 October 2025.
Bill text sourced from legislation.govt.nz (Parliamentary Counsel Office). Arapono’s summary and breakdown are drafted with AI grounded in that official text and reviewed by an Arapono editor for accuracy and neutrality before publishing. Arapono is non-partisan and takes no position on this bill.