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Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
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    The rise of New Zealand's military tradition : the Wellington West Coast and Taranaki Regiment (5 Battalion RNZIR) 1855-1964 : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of M.A. in History at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1979) Hooper, Keith Charles
    A more detailed general account of this thesis appears in the Introduction, where the themes to be developed are more fully explained. The first three chapters are concerned with developing themes derived from the Maori Land Wars : the colonial soldier's assertiveness, his organisation, and tactics. Thus it should be clear this thesis is more a study of military behaviour than a description of wars and battles. It is further argued that the three themes developed are inter-linked. That is because the early settlers successfully resisted conscription into military organisations, in which they had no say. They learned to impose their own views on the military establishment, and this gave rise to the novel system of electing officers. Further the resulting new military organisations proved fairly successful in the field, and challenged military orthodoxy. However, these new volunteer formations lacked any overall unity and in peace time were inclined to become rival social clubs with a fetish for bright uniforms, colourful parades, and garrison balls. The long period of peace in the latter half of the nineteenth century also saw the gradual growth of a regular force established on more orthodox lines by career officers, mostly seconded from the British Army. For a while, therefore, two rival military organisations existed in uneasy alliance and the New Zealand defence force was composed of two disparate wings. Eventually, as a result of several 'scares' and the South African War, the colonial government came to accept the suggestions of the career soldiers,and to reorganise the old volunteer force into a territorial part-time branch of the regular army. The first World war saw the new system working well but the old colonial assertiveness remained and some allowance for this had to be made. For a time most officers were created via the ranks again. But many of the supporters of the old system were swept away at Gallipoli and the links with the past were lost. However out of this holocaust the new Anzac tradition arose, emphasising a certain military style and fighting reputation. The nineteen-thirties saw a decline in the territorial system and the country was little prepared for World War II. Nevertheless the overseas battalions were quickly mobilised and once again some of the old colonial attributes became apparent. The Germans for example noted the New Zealanders seemed to favour particular tactics. World War II also saw New Zealanders overseas becoming more insular and conformist, perhaps to present a more definite national image in an international arena of conflict. Throughout this thesis the Wellington West Coast and Taranaki Regiment has been used as a basis for research, as it fed men into the three major conflicts of New Zealand history. Finally the change in the Regiment's title to 5 Battalion RKZIR, has served to exemplify the trend to centralisation and integration of the whole army at the expense of local affiliations.
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    The shape of New zealand's regimental system : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Defence and Strategic Studies at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2006) Phillips, Carol J
    Unit cohesion has been identified as a strong factor in the way soldiers overcome their fear of death in battle. Imperial Roman soldiers felt loyalty to the legion and its standard was more than a signal to rally towards in battle; British soldiers show similar loyalty to their regiment and Colours. Historians of a strong military background often write of the British regimental system as particularly effective in maintaining ethos and fighting spirit. Yet, reading any one of their descriptions of the regimental system offers only a vague insight of the structures and character of a uniquely military organisation. Identifying a regimental system is a particularly difficult task, even for those who are part of one. Although New Zealand has inherited the idea of regimental system from the British, it is a much smaller nation with a correspondingly smaller all-volunteer armed force and a more egalitarian society. The size of the New Zealand Army, with fewer regiments, seems to suggest that it has escaped both the benefits of regimental cohesion and the damaging effects of aggressive tribalism between its units. This thesis will challenge that assumption by showing that the New Zealand Army has a strong cultural history with definite characteristics of a regimental system. It will be seen that the New Zealand Army's regimental system adapts its values according to its own particular cultural pressures and legacies.
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    The impact of military culture on the embedding of continuous improvement methodologies within the New Zealand Army : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Quality Systems at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2017) Richards, Mark Bryan
    This thesis explores the impact of military culture on the ability for the New Zealand Army to successfully embed continuous improvement methodologies; namely Lean Six Sigma, and whether NZ Army Culture is supportive of the methodology. Current literature discusses both culture and the ability for organisations to change, and this is used as the basis for informing this research. Although the military is representative of the culture from where its members are selected, Military organisations themselves represent a specific occupational culture which is relatively isolated from society. It is this difference that makes the military an interesting organisation to study, and the research will examine whether the traditional norms of military service, the beliefs, ideals and regulations, impact the NZ Army’s ability to successfully grow a culture of continuous improvement. A mixed methods research is used to analyse the relationship between Military Culture, and the New Zealand Army’s effectiveness in embedding continuous improvement, with a five part questionnaire/survey being the selected data gathering method. The survey gathers specific information on; • the training and experience of respondents with Continuous Improvement, and • the cultural environment that exists in the NZ Army and how this impacts on continuous improvement. I draw on the findings of the survey and the literature to answer four questions about NZ Army Culture and their journey with continuous improvement, the results of which will be of value to both the NZ Army and academics who are interested in the impact that culture has on making change within organisations such as Military forces.
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    New Zealand and the military occupation of Japan 1945-48 : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts in History at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1994) Brocklebank, Laurie W
    The impetus for an MA thesis on 'New Zealand and the Military Occupation of Japan 1945-48' came from discussions with individuals at Massey University, Internal Affairs Historical Branch, and the New Zealand J Force and BCOF Veterans Association. It became clear that this episode in New Zealand history had not previously been studied in depth, yet opportunities were diminishing for with the passing of time veterans' written and oral recollections and personnel papers were being lost. An ideal and somewhat urgent avenue for original historical research emerged. New Zealand's role in the military occupation of Japan had two inter-connecting sides, political and military. This thesis will examine both, and the relationship between the political and military parts, as well as the overall relevance of this slice of New Zealand history. A central question is 'was participation in the occupation of Japan important as a political or military event, or both'?
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    Stress, well-being and hardiness in the New Zealand military : a transactional model : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2006) Carston, Michael Craig
    The present research sought to investigate stress in the New Zealand Army from a transactional perspective (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). Traditional models of stress have focused on linear or cause and effect relationships, often referred to as stressor-strain models, when attempting to explain the complex nature of stress. However, stressor-strain models often emphasise the negative consequences of stress and tend to incorporate a "one size fits all" approach where stress is assumed to be negative and unavoidable. It is argued that people differ in their response to stress, the types of stress they experience as well as the intensity and duration of stressful encounters. The current research investigated appraisal, coping, cognitive hardiness and work related stress in 439 military personnel. Positive and negative outcomes were measured as well as the role of moderating and mediating variables in the stress process. Results provide empirical support for a transactional model of occupational stress consisting of both negative and positive pathways. Associations were found between challenge appraisals, adaptive coping and positive psychological and physical outcomes. Associations were also found between threat appraisals, maladaptive coping and negative psychological and physical outcomes. Cognitive hardiness was not found to be associated with building adaptive coping strategies and did not mediate or moderate the positive pathway to stress. However, cognitive hardiness did mediate the negative pathway suggesting a potential protective element to this construct.
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    Training expectation fulfilment and its influence on the organizational commitment of Territorial Force army recruits : a thesis presented in partial fufilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1995) Neale, Peter John
    Territorial Force army recruits (N=184) participated in this study which aimed to determine the influence of pre-training expectation fulfilment on organizational commitment (OC) at the conclusion of, and six weeks after, their basic recruit training course. The study also aimed to identify what aspects of basic training recruits perceived as being better or worse than expected. Recruits filled out three questionnaires over a period of approximately nine weeks and the data was subjected to two hierarchical regression analyses. Results of the first regression analysis showed that the extent of training fulfilment was a significant positive predictor of OC at the end of basic training. More positive affective reactions to recruit training and higher levels of initial OC were also found to be predictive of OC at the conclusion of basic training. In the second regression analysis lower age and greater OC at the conclusion of basic training were found to be significantly predictive of greater OC six weeks after basic training. Fulfilment of expectations during basic training was not found to be predictive of OC at that point. A principal components analysis was conducted on the training fulfilment items in order to identify underlying dimensions of training fulfilment. Results showed that aspects associated with higher order needs (personal development, staff approachability, and physical challenge) were less fulfilled than those associated with lower order needs (living / working conditions, equipment adequacy). Overall, the results tend to question how pervasive the influence of fulfilled expectations during army basic training is on the attitudes of part time recruits after they leave the training environment. Implications for military advertising and realistic recruitment are also discussed.
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    A battle to win : an analysis of combat effectiveness through the Second World War experience of the 21st (Auckland) Battalion : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Defence and Strategic Studies at Massey University, New Zealand.
    (Massey University, 2012) Wood, Peter William
    This study analyses the Second World War experience of the 21st (Auckland) Battalion to create a combat effectiveness model of unit-level ground combat for modern application. Most of the literature concerning combat effectiveness of land forces, and why combatants win or lose, has analysed very large military organisations, often of American, British or German origin. Little analysis has been set at battalion level or lower, and none on New Zealand troops. Much of the most important research has emphasised formulae, factors and coefficients to construct a mathematical model of combat to either account for victory in past battles, or to predict it for those in the future. This approach provides realism to computerbased simulations and games and is of assistance to Operations researchers, but it does not help historians or the general reader account for victory, nor does it help soldiers prepare for combat in the future. This research uses combat analysis methodology to examine eight battles fought by the 21st (Auckland) Battalion in Egypt, North Africa and Italy between April 1941 and December 1943. It found that the 21st (Auckland) Battalion was raised specifically for war service, and was prepared for combat largely by its own men, some of whom had a modicum of inter-war Territorial army service, and a very few had First World War combat experience. It found that the battalion was ineffective in its earlier battles, but as it gained in experience, its combat effectiveness improved, despite changes in personnel due to casualties and furlough drafts. The research shows that novice Italian and German infantry units exhibited the same lack of combat effectiveness as the 21st (Auckland) Battalion did in its initial battles. The study found that no battle examined was alike. Each was a battle to win, despite the odds. Superior strength was found to be a reasonable determinant of victory, but leadership and will to fight, along with the tactics employed and the terrain over which the battle was fought, all impacted significantly on the outcome of the battles analysed. The study found that the 21st (Auckland) Battalion, as a microcosm of all of the 2nd New Zealand Divisions infantry units, evolved towards a preference for night operations as a means of reducing vulnerability to enemy small arms fire, and as a way of achieving surprise over the enemy. It discovered that the willingness of New Zealand infantrymen to take over, rather than take cover, once their leaders had become casualties, was also a significant contributor to combat effectiveness.
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    Wagons of war : a history of 10 Transport Company 1951-2011 : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Defence and Strategic Studies at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2012) Morris, Grant John
    This thesis examines the origins, formation, operations, activities and future of 10 Transport Company. It recounts that over six decades of service, the company has continued to meet the demands placed on it to provide distribution and transport support to the New Zealand Defence Force despite a number of challenges. These range from personnel shortages, to equipment serviceability and obsolescence, ever-changing command structures and threats to its unique identity. Changes in the regional and global security environment have also historically played their part, with lessons learned and doctrine from other nations influencing and shaping activities, and experiences gained on exercises and operations by the company’s own members providing much needed training realism and validity. Now in its sixtieth year, 10 Transport Company is one of only two remaining specialist military transport providers available to the New Zealand Army, and the only one located in the North Island. Its current structure and required outputs have been driven by the changes undergone within the NZ Army over a number of years; most noticeably effects are being felt through the advent of Army Transformation, with its focus on modernisation and motorisation. The company has continued to evolve from being part of a Divisional Supply Column in a conventional war setting, to supporting infantry Brigade-sized operations in a South East Asian environmental construct, to providing task-organised elements to sustain disbursed motorised combat teams fighting in complex terrain. Acknowledging 10 Transport Company as an evolutionary entity, and within a contemporary context, this thesis then examines the relevance of the company to the New Zealand Defence Force’s anticipated future international and domestic commitments, speculating as to whether 10 Transport Company will still exist in another sixty years.
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    The applicability of radio frequency identification devices to the New Zealand Army : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at Massey University, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2010) Collins, Kirstine
    The purpose of the study was to examine if the application of Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID) to the New Zealand (NZ) Army Supply Chain would increase the efficiency of the supply chain, improve inventory accuracy and reduce the workload on the NZ Army Supply Technicians (SupTech). An effective supply chain is critical to the NZ Army to ensure soldiers have the required items to perform their roles on operations and during training. Failure to get this right can prevent the NZ Army from meeting its Government outputs, and worst case can cost lives. Due to reduced numbers of trained SupTech, and an increasingly large and complex inventory, the Sup Tech workload has significantly increased in the last ten years. This has resulted in the NZ Army Supply chain not being as effective or efficient as it should be. New technologies such as RFID could be a way to improve the effectiveness of the supply chain. RFID is an automatic identification technology that uses radio waves to identify and track objects in real time. RFID technology is considered to have great potential to improve the efficiency and accuracy of many processes in the supply chain by providing detailed information on the flow of the products throughout the entire chain. This thesis conducts a comparative case study of the NZ Army Supply Chain and that of EastPack Ltd, who have recently implemented RFID. Time and cost analysis is conducted on the main units in the NZ Army and interviews are conducted with the top SupTech in these units to gauge the efficiency of the NZ Army supply chain. At EastPack Ltd interviews examine the RFID implementation decisions and results, and process mapping conducted to determine the efficiency of their supply chain. The results show that the NZ Army processes are time and labour intensive and units do not have sufficient SupTech to meet compliance requirements and provide a good level of support to their customers. EastPack Ltd had similar problems prior to implementation of RFID but since the technology has been in use they have had significant improvements in their inventory accuracy, gained savings in costs and labour and achieved an early ROI from the implementation. The study finds that while not all of the problems of the NZ Army Supply Chain can be solved by RFID its implementation would significantly reduce the workload on Sup Tech and help with the accuracy of the inventory in the NZ Army supply chain and improve its effectiveness.