Documents from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) warned the Government in January about the ineffectiveness of military-style training for complex participants, citing previous instances of serious mental and physical harm among defence personnel, according to information obtained by 1News.
Correspondence with Defence Minister Judith Collins highlighted discrepancies between the six-week NZDF Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) program and the proposed 12-month youth offender military academies. The NZDF stressed that comparing the two programs was inaccurate and could lead to public misunderstanding of its role.
Released under the Official Information Act, NZDF briefings to Collins revealed that the LSV scheme has faced significant challenges, including difficulties in recruiting suitable trainees. This led to an increase in the complexity of participants, impacting their mental readiness for military training.
The NZDF noted that prior to 2018, courses accommodated up to 30% of trainees with higher complexity. However, with ratios exceeding 30%, graduation rates sharply declined. In some cases in 2022/23, the complexity ratio reached 50% to 60%, resulting in serious mental harm to 10 NZDF staff, including cases of suicidal thoughts. Physical assaults on staff also rose, leading to decreased morale, wellbeing, and retention among personnel.
Concerns were raised regarding the proposed youth offender military academies, which would have a 100% complexity rate. In response, the NZDF stated it had collaborated with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) on safety measures, including increased involvement of social workers and a more rigorous selection process for trainees.
In a statement, the NZDF assured that it would play a significant role in the youth military academies, despite the different approach needed for the younger cohort involved. Police Minister Mark Mitchell emphasized the involvement of social services, iwi, hapū, community groups, and government agencies experienced in dealing with young offenders.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins supported considering the NZDF’s concerns, noting the potential harm versus benefits of the proposed programs. He acknowledged the merit in some aspects of the Government’s proposals, particularly in the evidence-based approach adopted for the latter nine months of the boot camp program.
