Write to your local Member of Parliament

Yes, you can.

As serving military personnel and military families, you retain your fundamental rights as citizens, including the right to contact your local Member of Parliament (MP) regarding personal, constituency, or community concerns.

While service policy requires military members to maintain strict political neutrality when acting in an official capacity, writing to your local MP in your capacity as a private citizen is fully permitted.

It’s one way to bring attention to the issues facing Defence personnel and whānau. Local MPs can then raise these concerns with relevant Ministers, helping ensure the issues remain on the Government's radar.

Share your experiences, outline the challenges you believe need addressing, and highlight what you would like to see change.

Use your personal email/personal postal address

State clearly that you are writing as a resident of their electorate regarding personal, family, or community matters. Don’t use official military email addresses, official letterheads, or do it while on duty etc.

Make it personal

Explain how these issues affect you, your whānau, your colleagues or your ability to do your job.

Highlight the bigger picture whether it is an isolated issue or part of a wider problem affecting Defence personnel.

Explain the issue

What is happening? Whether it's pay, housing, retention, equipment, infrastructure or working conditions, be specific and provide examples

Ask for action

What would you like your MP to do? Can they raise the issue with the Minister of Defence, ask questions in Parliament or seek further information from NZDF?

Contact your local MP's