Plumber at New Zealand Defense Force

As a Plumber, Gasfitter and Drainlayer in the Army, you will work on a huge variety of tasks and equipment from providing amenities in camps and bases to assist in repairing damaged buildings. You will earn trade certified qualifications and be called upon everywhere the Army goes.

The New Zealand Army has many installations and camps around the country, and often is deployed on humanitarian and peacekeeping missions around the world. All of these places require plumbers to ensure the amenities function properly. You will be provided with all the tools and the knowledge required to complete any task set for you. You will have all the skills of a civilian plumber, with the added training afforded to a soldier in a modern army.

Accepting Applications

• Recruit Regular Force 417, starts 07 Jul 2025 Apply by 24 Mar 2025

Apply Now

Requirements

Basics

• Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.

• Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.

Education

• 3 years secondary school.

Note, qualifications may be used to assess trade suitability.

Fitness & Medical

• You must be medically fit for service.

• You must meet the minimum entry fitness standards.

Citizenship

There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required CV security clearance for this trade.

Find out if you're eligible here.

Period of Service

Once you have completed training you will be required to give a two year return of service to the NZ Army.

We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we'll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.

• Job on base

The role of a Plumber, Gasfitter and Drainlayer on camp is to conduct new work and routine maintenance of existing and new camp facilities. Plumbers are called upon for a variety of tasks including inspection and replacement of pipes to installation and fit out of construction tasks.

As well as your day to day plumbing responsibilities you will also continue your soldier training including weapons, medical, communications and combat engineer training.

• Job on deployment

A vital role of Plumbers in the Army is assisting with the initial construction and maintenance of plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying facilities of deployed camp facilities.Plumbershave been deployed supporting small contingents around the globe. Places they have previously been deployed include Antarctica, Mozambique, Timor Leste, Australia, South Pacific Islands, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq.