Documents obtained by the Otago Daily Times under the Official Information Act show a junior soldier from the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment pleaded guilty to a summary charge of attempting to procure MDMA in November 2019.
He also admitted two charges of drinking, and one charge of vaping, in barracks — activities which are prohibited under standing orders.
The soldier’s repeat offending and "contributing to drug culture on Base Woodbourne" were found to be aggravating factors, and he was given nine days detention when judgement was passed 18 months later.
A New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) spokeswoman denied drug use was an issue at Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Woodbourne.
Personnel were subject to regular checks in their accommodation to ensure they were not participating in unhealthy or illegal activities.
The delay in passing judgement may have been because of "significant attrition" in military police staffing, the spokeswoman said.
As with the rest of the defence force, military police had suffered significant attrition of staff which may have contributed to delays within the summary justice system, the spokeswoman said.
The case was not the only summary trial where defence force members pleaded guilty to intoxication-related offences.
A junior soldier, from the 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion, pleaded guilty to six charges, after an alcohol-fuelled, expletive-laden tirade at Burnham camp in July 2021.
The man had consumed alcohol in barracks and was also charged with three counts of using insubordinate language, which appeared to start when his superior officer was preparing to search his room.
The soldier became verbally abusive and used words to the effect of "f... this, let me out of here".
When informed he would be placed under arrest, the man called his superior a "f...ing officer c...".
When placed under arrest, the soldier called the officer a f....t and physically resisted, saying "if you want me in the cell, you can put me in there."
He was given 16 days in detention as punishment.
Other offending included:
• Junior soldier found drinking in ceiling cavity in Grant barracks at Linton on Anzac Day 2021. Admitted drinking and damaging $2380 of property. Confined to barracks for 14 days and to pay $792 compensation.
• Senior soldier based at Burnham reduced to private in late 2021, after admitting procuring and attempting to procure MDMA, supplying cannabis, and attempting to procure LSD in 2017.
• Soldier at the Land Operations Training Centre admitted attempting to procure MDMA in August 2019. Given two weeks detention in July 2021.
• Soldier from the 2nd Combat Services Support Company reduced to private after using MDMA in February 2018, in a July 2021 decision. Also admitted attempting to procure MDMA two months later.
The defence force spokeswoman said it had a substance harm minimisation framework in place, Operation Stand, which had been developed in partnership with the New Zealand Drug Foundation.
The operation placed an emphasis on promoting health, preventing impairment and providing support, while ensuring proportionate consequences for illegal activity.
Recruit and trainee staff were required to attend presentations and activities were scheduled to provide opportunities to participate in social activities outside of working hours.
The summary trial system was designed to be a simple way to address lower-level offending.
Various factors could cause delays, many of which were similar to issues present in the civil justice system, such as Covid related disruptions.
Delays were taken into account as a mitigating factor when deciding punishments and a greater reduction in sentence would be appropriate where a delay was unjustified.
