Mō te tūranga

About The Role

Specialisations

Safety Management & Emergency Response

Entry type

General entry

Under training

$68,860

Location

Ohakea, Whenuapai, Woodbourne

As an Aviation Rescue Firefighter you’ll be part of a highly versatile Specialist Aviation Rescue & Fire Fighting (ARFF) team located at established and expeditionary airfields to enable both military and civilian aircraft operations. The ARFF units are staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to deliver an emergency response capability for Aviation, Industrial, Urban and Rural firefighting in support of personnel, infrastructure and mission critical assets at airfields, defence and local areas as well as in deployed locations. The ARFF Trade may also support Fire Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) as well as other Emergency Service providers at Local, Regional, National and International emergencies.

Aviation Rescue & Fire Fighting is a challenging job, both physically and mentally. You will be required to maintain a high level of fitness to conduct rescue and firefighting operations in challenging environments including at heights and in confined spaces. You will carry out regular maintenance of competency training, designed to help you retain the knowledge, skills and attributes required to make the right decisions in dangerous situations.

Camaraderie is second to none; integrity, trust and teamwork are values held high in the ARFF trade.

All Fire Flights work a 6 day operational shift set: a day shift, a 24 hour shift, and a night shift followed by 3 rostered days off.

To be part of the team we don’t expect you to be the best, but to give your best. It is as a team that we will be the best.

Accepting Applications

Recruit 3/26, starts Apply by 08 Jun 2026 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.
Minimum: Class 1 – Restricted Licence is acceptable however; Class 1 – Full Licence is desirable.

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

Your training is some of the most thorough and advanced in the world. On graduation, you will be required to serve 1 year in the Air Force. This helps the NZDF make the most of the skills and knowledge you’ve built during your training.

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.

Royal New Zealand Air Force

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