Vol. IX No. 1

Kiwi Steel: Modern Rifles of the New Zealand Defence Force

N.R. Jenzen-Jones & Dylan Woodhouse

Abstract

This article presents a chronological narrative of the standard-issue service rifles used by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) following the Vietnam War, with a particular focus on the Steyr AUG and its successor, the Lewis Machine & Tool MARS-L. By drawing, in part, upon primary source documents obtained through Official Information Act requests and research in Archives New Zealand, the authors provide a nuanced account of the selection criteria and service history of these rifles, as well as the challenges they faced on introduction. The article explores the historical rifles used by the NZDF, from colonial times to the Vietnam War, before discussing the adoption of the Steyr AUG and its long service life (including limited upgrades). Finally, it discusses the introduction of the MARS-L as a replacement for the AUG, considering the decision-making and post-introduction issues. In addition to presenting a detailed and chronological narrative in its own right, this article is intended to serve as a valuable resource for future research through the authors’ efforts to ensure key source materials are now readily available.

Issue: Vol. IX No. 1
Published: 31 July, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52357/armax72497
Peer-reviewed?: Yes

Keywords: New Zealand, Australian Defence Industries, Steyr, F88, MARS-L, self-loading rifles

Bibliographic Information

N.R. Jenzen-Jones & Dylan Woodhouse, ‘Kiwi Steel: Modern Rifles of the New Zealand Defence Force’, Armax: The Journal of Contemporary Arms, Vol. IX № 1 (2023), pp. 21–40, <https://doi.org/10.52357/armax72497>.

About the Authors

N.R. Jenzen-Jones is a technical intelligence specialist and historian focusing on arms and munitions. He is the Director of Armament Research Services (ARES) and the Editor of Armax: The Journal of Contemporary Arms. He holds a Visiting Fellowship in the School of Law, Policing and Forensics at the University of Staffordshire and was awarded the Buffalo Bill Center of the West’s 2022–2023 Resident Fellowship for his work with the Cody Firearms Museum. Mr. Jenzen-Jones serves in consultancy roles with a number of prominent organisations, and has produced extensive research examining a range of small arms, light weapons, and ammunition. He maintains a broad focus on how weapons are selected, acquired, stockpiled, and employed. 

Dylan Woodhouse is an English independent researcher completing his Master’s degree in International Relations and Strategic Studies at the University of Waikato in New Zealand. He holds an undergraduate degree in Law and Political Science. A collector of British service arms and a member of the New Zealand Antique and Historic Arms Association, Mr. Woodhouse’s research interests centre on counterinsurgency and British and Commonwealth arms from the late 19th century to present day.