Basic training to exit Waiouru camp
The New Zealand Army is set to shift basic training for new recruits from Waiouru to the South Island, downgrading the central North Island military camp.
The shift, planned for after 2018, will see all new recruits undergo basic training at new facilities built in Burnham, Christchurch.
The headquarters training, doctrine command, the army command school and the army depot would also be shifting to Burnham.
The move was driven by families wanting more say over posting locations and more choice with housing and jobs, Chief of Army Major General Peter Kelly said.
‘‘Unfortunately, as great as Waiouru is, it cannot and will never be able to provide this level of choice,’’ Kelly said.
‘‘What is clear is that the majority of our army must be located by major cities.’’
Kelly said this would give families the ability to build links into the community and, as Linton was already at or near capacity, Burnham allowed the capacity to expand. Waiouru encompassed 63,000 hectares and Kelly said it was the largest and most important training area, and the only area in New Zealand where they could conduct combined arms live field firing training.
This training would continue in Waiouru, but he said it was time to utilise other training areas in Christchurch, Tekapo, and the wider South Island.
‘‘My intent going forward is that Waiouru will continue to be our premier training area for combined arms training, including all aspects of live field firing and we will invest heavily into future proofing the training area to meet our operation needs.’’
Rangitikei MP Ian McKelvie said the move meant more families leaving Waiouru, which was sad for the town but would not make a big difference.
‘‘Waiouru has been dramatically downsized over the past few years, so the significant impact has already happened,’’ he said.
‘‘We’ll just have to find other ways of sustaining the town and the broader community around it.’’