25 Feb 2023

The Detail's Long Read: In Our Defence

From The Detail, 5:00 am on 25 February 2023

This is The Detail's Long Read - one in-depth story read by us every weekend.

A graphic illustration of a line of army soldiers carrying guns. The figures all wear full, identical army uniforms. A soldier in front stands alone, while the line of identical soldiers behind him are all cardboard cutouts. There is a vivid blue sky with puffy clouds behind them.

A lack of funding for competitive salaries and quality housing in the New Zealand Defence Force is jeopardising the viability of defence operations, argues Pete McKenzie. Photo: Ross Murray / North & South

This week, it's In Our Defence written by Pete McKenzie and published in North & South's March 2023 issue.

You can find the entire article on the North & South website.

Joining our army, navy or air force was once an assured way to build a career, gain marketable qualifications and save for a mortgage while living in subsidised housing. But with unfit houses and poor pay, the ranks are thinning dangerously — to the point where the most basic operations of a modern defence force are at risk.

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