WELLINGTON - The New Zealand Defence Force is looking to cut 374 civilian positions as it attempts to reduce costs and remain within its budget, it said in a statement on Thursday.

The statement said the defence force would disestablish 667 roles and create 293 new ones. Of these, 287 positions are currently vacant so the headcount would be reduced by about 80 civilians, it noted.

The proposed cuts are “due to the NZDF having to continue to prioritize its outputs and find the savings required to stay within its budget appropriation, while maintaining combat readiness and delivering on core military activities,” a spokesman for the Defence Force said in an email.

No timeframe was given on when a final decision on the job cuts would be made.

The New Zealand Defence Force had 3,294 civilian staff, according to its 2024 annual report.

The country’s national security strategy in 2023 said that New Zealand was facing the most challenging strategic environment in decades and that the country needed to spend more money on its military. Plans to increase spending on defence, which is less that 1 percent of GDP, will come with the release of the Defence Capability plan. The plan was due last year but is expected soon.

New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins said the job cuts were an operational matter for the New Zealand Defence Force.

“I trust the NZDF is ensuring taxpayer dollars are being spent to achieve maximum effect while prioritising military outputs,” Collins said.