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Defence Employer Support Council

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Defence Employer Support Council

We are an independent statutory body that supports organisations who employ NZDF and NZCF personnel.

The Defence Employer Support Council (DESC) aims to support part-time NZDF and NZCF personnel with balancing their civilian and military commitments. We provide services to NZDF and NZCF personnel to assist with employment matters and a number of outreach initatives that engage with employers and bring them closer to the action of NZDF and NZCF. Check out our website for more information on the exciting opportunities that DESC can offer!

31/03/2026

2026 Tohu Awards Nominations are OPEN NOW! 🏆

The Tohu Awards is one of the ways we thank our extended Defence whānau on behalf of the New Zealand Defence Force.

Hosted by the Minister of Defence, the Tohu Awards offer an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the crucial role of Reservists, Cadet Force Officers, Youth Graduates and the organisations who support them, with awards selected across the following categories:

🎖 Reservist of the Year
🎖 Reservist Employer of the Year (Small and Large Employer Categories)
🎖 NZ Cadet Force Officer Employer of the Year
🎖 Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) of the Year
🎖 Individual Contribution to the Limited Service Volunteers (LSV)
🎖 Employer Contribution to the Limited Service Volunteers (LSV)

Is there an individual, an employer or an organisation you'd like to nominate?

Visit our DESC Website for Nomination Forms: https://www.desc.govt.nz/

Alternatively, contact [email protected] to request a nomination form directly.

⏱ Nominations close for all awards on 29 June 2026, excluding Reservist of the Year which closes 17 August 2026.

02/03/2026

Supporting shared workforces in New Zealand 🤝

We’re here to enhance the availability of Reservists and Cadet Force Officers in emergency situations, deployments and outputs.

The Tohu Awards is one of the ways we thank our extended Defence whānau on behalf of the New Zealand Defence Force. Employers and individuals willingly release part-time people for training, exercises, deployments and emergencies, and in many cases, welcome and utilise transferrable skills back into their workplaces.

Is there an individual, an employer or an organisation you'd like to nominate?

Take a look through our past ceremonies and check out our Nomination Forms in advance at www.desc.govt.nz

Nominations open on 01 April for the 2026 Tohu Awards.

19/11/2025

Tohu Awards 2025 🏆

Minister of Defence, Hon Judith Collins KC MP and Associate Minister of Defence, Hon Chris Penk MP joined with Senior NZDF Leadership in Wellington last week to recognise and celebrate Reservists, Cadet Force Officers (CFOs), Limited Service Volunteers (LSV) and the organisations who support them.

The Tohu Awards honour those who have gone above and beyond in their service and those that make that service possible – employers, mentors and supporters.

In her comments, Hon Judith Collins thanked the awards nominees, employers and supporters in attendance, reminding us that our Defence Force is not built by uniform alone – it is built by a network of people, families and employers united by service, integrity and community.

Congratulations to our 2025 award finalists and winners and thank you for the role you play for the New Zealand Defence Force and New Zealand’s Youth.

🎖 Reservist of the Year: Lance Corporal Sophie Toohey
🎖 Reservist Employer of the Year (Small Employer Category): Apollo Project Ltd
🎖 Reservist Employer of the Year (Large Employer Category): Mayne Wetherell
🎖 NZ Cadet Force Officer Employer of the Year: Giltrap Group
🎖 Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) of the Year: Michael Reynolds
🎖 Individual Contribution to the Limited Service Volunteers (LSV): Miru McLean
🎖 Employer Contribution to the Limited Service Volunteers (LSV): Citycare

Read more about our winners here:
https://lnkd.in/gDeCAdDA

New Zealand Cadet Forces LSV - Limited Service Volunteer - Auckland LSV - Limited Service Volunteer - Canterbury LSV- Limited Service Volunteer, Trentham, Wellington

24/07/2025

💻 Live now: Updated website to support part-time people and their external employers.

Here at DESC, we work to facilitate good working relationships between Reservists, Cadet Force Officers and LSV Graduates, with their external employers.

Support from external employers is vital to the success and development of part-time people who balance military and civilian commitments. With support from their employers, Reservists and Cadet Force Officers can attend a variety of training opportunities, offer community and civil emergency support, provide support to full-time people and serve New Zealand on overseas deployments.

We are delighted to announce an improved DESC website which offers up-to-date information and practical resources.

Find us at www.desc.govt.nz

For any enquiries, please contact [email protected]

12/06/2025

🏆 2025 Tohu Awards Nominations are closing soon!

Help us celebrate Reservists, Cadet Force Officers (CFOs), Limited Service Volunteers (LSV) and their employers by submitting your nomination now.

The annual Tohu Awards ceremony, hosted by the Minister of Defence, acknowledges part-time people and the organisations who support them, with awards celebrated across the following categories:

🎖 Reservist of the Year
🎖 Reservist Employer of the Year (Small and Large Employer Categories)
🎖 NZ Cadet Force Officer Employer of the Year
🎖 Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) of the Year
🎖 Individual Contribution to the Limited Service Volunteers (LSV)
🎖 Employer Contribution to the Limited Service Volunteers (LSV)

NZDF personnel are invited to nominate an individual or organisation who has made an outstanding contribution to the NZDF. Employers of Reservists are also invited to self-nominate.

Contact [email protected] to request a nomination form.

⏱ Nominations close for all awards on 25 June 2025, excluding Reservist of the Year which closes 15 August 2025.

14/05/2025

🏆 2025 Tohu Awards Nominations are now open!

Awards nominations are now open to celebrate Reservists, Cadet Force Officers (CFOs), Limited Service Volunteers (LSV) and their employers.

The annual Tohu Awards ceremony, hosted by the Minister of Defence, acknowledges part-time people and the organisations who support them, with awards celebrated across the following categories:

🎖 Reservist of the Year
🎖 Reservist Employer of the Year (Small and Large Employer Categories)
🎖 NZ Cadet Force Officer Employer of the Year
🎖 Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) of the Year
🎖 Individual Contribution to the Limited Service Volunteers (LSV)
🎖 Employer Contribution to the Limited Service Volunteers (LSV)

NZDF personnel are invited to nominate an individual or organisation who has made an outstanding contribution to the NZDF. Employers of Reservists are also invited to self-nominate.

Contact [email protected] to request a nomination form.

⏱ Nominations close for all awards on 25 June 2025, excluding Reservist of the Year which closes 15 August 2025.

18/11/2024

Tohu Awards 2024 🏆 The awards, run by the team here at the Defence Employer Support Council (DESC), acknowledge the employers who support part-time NZDF personnel, allowing them to attend training and development opportunities so they may effectively supplement our Regular Force members when required.

The Tohu Awards also celebrate employers who support the Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) programme and its graduates. The LSV programme supports youth in developing skills to seek employment and make positive, long-term contributions to their community.

Congratulations to our 2024 award winners and thank you to those who nominated organisations that show their support for our people and the role they play in our Defence Force.

Read more ➡️ nzdf.mil.nz/tohu-awards-24

15/11/2024

Fantastic to host Associate Minister of Defence Chris Penk MP at the Tohu Awards this morning. Always wonderful to celebrate success. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners. BZ!

29/04/2024

📢 Calling all Reservists 📢 Want to have your say and help shape the future of your Reserve Force?

Reservists make up around 27% of the NZDF workforce. The Directorate of Reserve Forces is seeking feedback as part of a major review of the Reserve Forces to ensure NZDF is ready for today and the future.

Balancing civilian and military commitments can be tricky. To enable a better understanding of the nature of our Reserve Force, the Directorate need to hear from you.

Your feedback will help shape priorities for Reserve Force policy, legislative change and employer support; it’ll ensure your needs are at the centre of any change.

HAVE YOUR SAY HERE:

https://lnkd.in/ecXZwgXy

The survey is open now until end of day 13 May.

Participation is voluntary and confidential.

This should take approximately 45 mins.

If you wish to claim for your time completing this survey, contact your unit administrator to claim up to 1 hour of your time.

If you have any questions contact [email protected]

24/04/2024

Pausing to reflect 🕝 109 years on from when New Zealand and Australian soldiers landed on the shores of Gallipoli, we're taking a moment today to honour those who have fallen.

New Zealand's Reservists, Cadet Force Officers, the Employers who support them and the wider New Zealand community are commemorating today with services across Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Address

Wellington

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	7:30am - 5pm
Thursday	7:30am - 5pm
Friday	7:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+6444986549

Website

http://www.desc.govt.nz/

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