The NZCC is managed at a national level by the commandant (usually a regular force lieutenant-colonel/wing commander/commander), and their staff based out of Trentham Army Camp.

The Company Sergeant Major (CSM) is normally responsible for supervising the NCOs in their various tasks, as a result, the Company Sergeant Major can skip the normal chain of command, enabling them to liaise directly with the Unit Commander.

Some Cadet Corps units also permit and hold a drill cane for the Company Sergeant Major to use.

Cadets wear a shoulder brassard on their right arm to display their individual achievements and to further distinguish them from NZ Army personnel.

This roll out is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021 and will free up stocks of DPM for New Zealand Cadet Corps units.

All actively serving personnel within the New Zealand Cadet Corps have the opportunity to advance through the ranks while in the organisation.

From 2014 onwards Cadet Warrant Officer Class Two rank slides were introduced and propagated to entirely replace the wristband, however in keeping with traditions some units still maintain the passage of this wristband from the preceding Sergeant Major to the incoming individual.

The Cadet Corps Commissioned Officer Ranks are based on the New Zealand Army, and are; Note: All instances of Lieutenant are pronounced "Leftenant" in line with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence pronunciation.

There is a deliberate delineation between an 'Adult' and an 'Officer' as the latter has specific authority to exercise command and control over cadets and other NZCF Officers.

Members of the NZDF are occasionally attached to cadet units to assist in conducting training.

[4] Run in partnership with the Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Awards the award is a multi year, voluntary, non-competitive programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities, designed to support the personal and social development of young people aged 14–25, regardless of gender, background or ability.

[5] Within the frame of the New Zealand Cadet Forces, parade nights and community service events like Anzac Day parades can count towards the service requirement while weekend camps and courses can count towards the skill section of the awards.

Separately the course serves to train Commissioned Officers to be able to lead and manage cadets on day tramps and/or overnight camps on clearly formed tracks in and below the bush line.

Officers are taught leadership, risk and crisis management, bush craft skills, and first aid.

Cadets must pass a DFTT (Dry Firing Training Test) before being allowed on the range.

Cadets who achieve high marks regularly on the range may be awarded a marksmanship badge to be worn on their brassard.

Cadets receive training in the use and maintenance of long range radio equipment, allowing them to maintain communications with other groups over extreme distances.

On camps and exercises these skills are tested in a practical environment with cadets being placed in the New Zealand bush at long distances from each other and are expected to be able to co-ordinate together.

Each year the New Zealand Cadet Forces participate in numerous public service events around the country.

Cadets will form cenotaph and catafalque parties on behalf of, and in partnership with the New Zealand Defence Force.

The participants can be any rank and a Commissioned NZCF Officer accompanies each group of cadets overseas, providing opportunities for both adult and youth members.

The programme provides standardisation for training and expected development within Cadet Units for CDT(E) – CDTWOII(E).

The content of the Four-Year Training Programme is not designed to fill every period during parade nights in a calendar year, but intentionally leaves scope for Cadet Unit Commanders to add content that will add value to their communities, strengthen Unit identity and provide opportunities for cadets that they may not receive outside of NZCF.

However, only completion of the prescribed training will ensure that cadets can continue moving through the development model.

Delivery of the content of the Four-Year Training Programme is at Cadet Unit Commander's discretion.

It focuses more on fieldcraft and teamwork than the Regional Skills Competition, and also gives more freedom for the team's leader for decision making.

[12] This competition also represents one of the only opportunity for New Zealand Cadet Corps personnel to earn the NZCF Marksman Badge.

In order to be awarded the badge a cadet must, while competing in the Gunson Shooting Competition achieve a score of 80% or more.

New Zealand Cadet Forces units contest the Class B competitions (using issued rifles and sights).

The aim of these team matches is to encourage the Youth of the Commonwealth to participate in the sport of small-bore target rifle shooting.