The organisation in New Zealand began in an ad hoc manner with volunteer groups set up in various regions as it became apparent that there was an acute labour shortage due to the mobilisation of male farm workers.
In November 1941 the Government announced that it would establish a national Women's Land Corps.
[4] City girls from the age of 18 and up were "sent to assist on sheep, cattle, dairy, orchard and poultry properties".
With the reorganisation the basic wages were increased, the uniform and working clothes were liberalised, farmers could employ their relatives, and district Man-Power Officers became responsible for recruitment.
These changes made the Service more attractive to both women and farmers and membership increased during the following two years.