The New Zealand Defence Force (Te Ope Kaatua o Aotearoa, "Line of Defence of New Zealand") consists of three services: the Royal New Zealand Navy; the New Zealand Army; and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. 

New Zealand's armed forces have three defence policy objectives; to defend New Zealand against low-level threats, to contribute to regional security; and to play a part in global security efforts. New Zealand considers its own national defence needs to be modest, due to its geographical isolation and benign relationships with neighbours. As of September 2008, approximately 600 NZDF personnel served overseas in the South Pacific, Asia and Middle East areas


The 3 Services all have independent Police/ Security units . The New Zealand Army,  RNZMP (Royal New Zealand Military Police), the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Force Protection and the Royal New Zealand Navy, Naval Police.