NZDF responsible for NZSAS soldier’s death, claims WorkSafe

A recent investigation by WorkSafe has found that the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) was responsible for the death of elite soldier Lance Corporal Nik Kahotea. Kahotea, a member of the NZ Special Air Service (NZSAS), died in 2019 during a training exercise with U.S. troops in Auckland. The investigation highlighted several failures by the Defence Force related to safety planning, oversight, and execution of the training. These issues contributed to the tragic incident. WorkSafe had prepared to prosecute the NZDF for these failures. However, the Defence Force used a special waiver to avoid facing health and safety charges. This waiver is rare and allowed them to bypass legal accountability for Kahotea’s death. The findings reveal serious concerns about how military training exercises are managed, especially those involving elite units like the NZSAS. The investigation calls for improved safety measures in the future to prevent similar incidents.