New Zealand Defence Force Institute for Leadership Development

The New Zealand Defence Force, Institute for Leader Development (ILD) delivers a comprehensive approach to continued leadership development with a focus on helping people leaders who are transitioning to the next level of leadership.

A number of their leadership development programmes are open to participants from the wider public sector and some programmes involve outdoor activities designed to challenge leaders.

The Leadership Development Centre takes a system wide approach to maximise Public Service spaces on these programmes by managing the nomination and selection process. Public Service representative spaces are limited. 

We balance a range of factors for selection, including individual participant information like role and experience, alongside equitable representation from Public Service agencies both across and within the programmes. A balanced approach provides a rich experience for the participant and a diverse contribution to the cohort.

The LDC will continue to support the NZDF with selecting public service spaces on future programmes and we will be calling early September this year for Round 8 nominations for the programmes starting in the first half of the next year 2026.

You can read about Nick Ritchie’s experience on Lead Capability: Invaluable growth on NZDF’s Lead Capability Programme

Programme details

Learn more about each programme in the programme flyer. You may also find the Leadership characteristics document helpful to determine the suitability of each programme for leaders at different levels. 

2025 Leadership Courses and Programmes Flyer [PDF, 182 KB]

Leadership characteristics [PDF, 181 KB]

Cost per programme is approximately $600-$1500 + travel costs


Public Service spaces available

  • 12 Public Service spaces across 3 cohorts of the Lead Systems Leadership Programme.
  • 8 Public Service spaces across 2 cohorts of the Lead Capability Leadership Programme.


The outcomes for nominations will be shared via email in 
early-June 2025.

Note the Lead Organisation Programme (LORG) is anticipated to start early 2026, we will share the updated timeline for LORG nominations later this year.

Programme dates

Lead System Leadership Programme 25/04

  • Phase 1: June – July 2025
  • Phase 2: 21 - 25 July 2025

Lead System Leadership Programme 25/06

  • Phase 1: Oct – Nov 2025
  • Phase 2: 10 – 14 Nov 2025

Lead Capability Leadership Programme 25/02

  • Phase 1: July – Aug 2025
  • Phase 2: 13 – 22 Aug 2025

Lead Capability Leadership Programme 25/03

  • Phase 1: Sept – Oct 2025
  • Phase 2: 08 – 17 Oct 2025


If you have any questions about the nomination process, email: LDCprogrammes@ldc.govt.nz

For specific questions about the programme or course, email: ildprogrammes@nzdf.mil.nz