Hundreds of Defence Force jobs set to go

More than 700 jobs within the Defence Force are tipped to be axed from as early as next year, official documents show.

Labour Party defence spokesman Phil Goff said a report released to him under the Official Information Act recommended military and civil job cuts across the force.

The Establishment Review Report recommended the removal of 104 positions, two-thirds of which would be cancelled by next year.

A further 178 military and 49 civilian temporary positions would be gone by 2018.

The report also recommended the number of Air Force personnel and civil staff jobs should be reduced by 67 and 315 respectively, to comply with funding caps.

The total number of jobs affected would be 713.

Mr Goff slammed the findings, saying it was another example of the Government undervaluing the role of the New Zealand military.

"All of this foreshadows a further shambles in Defence Force staffing and growing pressures from not having enough people to meet demands."

Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee told One News the staff reductions would largely come from not filling vacancies over the next 10 years.