Defence Force looks overseas for soldiers

By RUTH BERRY

The Defence Force is being forced to recruit soldiers from overseas as it tries to combat staff shortages.

Its annual report reveals that personnel numbers have continued to drop despite a series of pay rises and other measures designed to stem departures from the ranks.

Ten years ago Defence Force numbers totalled 17,547. That figure now stands at 12,853.

The Defence Force has now turned overseas for recruits, but believes its efforts have been hindered by immigration requirements.

It has negotiated some changes with the Immigration Service and wants the service to make more changes to its skilled migrants category in order to further "reduce barriers".

Officers, soldiers and new recruits wanting to train for a career in the armed forces are being sought.

New Zealand First defence spokesman Ron Mark said that while New Zealand had previously recruited overseas officers, it was "news to me" that soldiers and untrained personnel were being sought.

He believed the main reason for staff shortages was that pay rates were still not high enough.

He was also hearing that, like police, defence personnel were being lured into giving up their jobs by private agencies contracting them to work in places such as Iraq. Others were leaving to join better-paid defence forces overseas.

Attrition rates at this time last year dropped from 15.5 per cent to 12 per cent after one pay rise. But a further 2004 pay adjustment designed to close the gap between military pay packets and those in the wider state sector does not appear to have stopped the exodus. The Army raised concerns last year that staffing shortages would be exacerbated by the arrival of the 105 light armoured vehicles.

Mr Mark said real questions now needed to be asked about whether that and other big re-equipment projects under way and together costing about $2 billion could actually be crewed and maintained.

In the annual report, Defence Force Chief Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson said the force "has once again faced a period of continued international challenges that have placed significant demands on our personnel and equipment.

"Coupled with this are the efforts to maintain our current capabilities while meeting the Government's modernisation plans."

The report says a wide range of operations have been affected by personnel shortages.

These included infantry battalions, land combat support units, the Special Air Service and aircrew personnel.

A Defence Force spokesman yesterday was unable to provide details on the overseas recruitment. Defence Minister Mark Burton could not be reached.