While cadet units receive a small amount of funding from the New Zealand Government, this does not cover the majority of cost of running the unit and our activities, we therefore rely on fundraising and on annual donations from each family,
Cadets is $100 per year, reducible to $75 if paid in the first six weeks of term one and dolphins is $20 per term.
For cadets, there is also an additional one off cost of $20.00 for a unit cap.
Donations cover the cost of the day-to-day running of the unit, maintaining our unit assets, providing uniforms and most of our activities. Some activities, such as camps, will have additional costs at the time.
Donations are also tax deducible. Charities Commission No: CC26209 Sea Cadet Association of New Zealand Incorporated.
Your child's safety has top priority accepting that no activity can be entirely risk free. NZCF Officers undergo Courses/Training to minimise risk for your child while involved in NZCF activities.
Can I get NZQA credits for my learning while in Cadets?
For cadets, yes, the New Zealand Cadet Forces has been instrumental in establishing an NZQA National Certificate in Cadet Forces - Foundation studies (Level 2).
Many cadet units are incorporating NZQA unit standards from this qualification into their training programme. If you have registered with NZQA and have a National Student Number (sometimes referred to as a Record of Learning number) you can have the units you achieve placed on your record after you have paid the credit recording fee.
Because it is a National Certificate you can also use the credits earned to help meet the credit requirements of your NCEA levels 1-3
What does the New Zealand Defence Force provide cadets with?
The NZDF provides you with a uniform, less footwear They also supply Regular Force advisors and organise and pay for all the promotion courses you may be selected to attend. They also provide the subjects you will study.
What if I move town, can I join another Unit?
Yes, there are over 100 Units across New Zealand that you could transfer to.
Will being a cadet help me get into the Armed Forces when I leave school?
Cadet Forces is not a recruiting arm of the NZ 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.
Will I be sent overseas to fight?
Definitely not.
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.
How long can you serve for?
The majority of cadets serve for up to three years. After that, if you are a senior cadet, you can serve until your 20th birthday
Can both girls and boys join?
Yes
How old do you have to be to join Cadets or Dolphins and where do you join?
Dolphins is for 10 - 13 year olds, and cadets is for 13 - 18 year olds. You join the New Zealand Cadet Forces by popping into see us, see here for our contact details