Raised during the Second World War under the command of Vida Jowett, most of its personnel served on the Home Front, with several manning coastal and anti-aircraft defences.

Many WAACs were sent overseas to serve in Europe and the Middle East, mainly providing medical and welfare services to the troops of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

After the war, some WAACs served with Jayforce, providing welfare services for the New Zealand troops doing occupation duties in Japan.

Instead, applications were made to the National Service Department, responsible for recruitment into the New Zealand Military Forces.

Some early recruits were civilian employees of the Army who were already performing administrative and catering duties at various facilities around New Zealand.

Although their presence were largely appreciated for the morale of the personnel of the main contingent of the 2NZEF, the 2nd New Zealand Division, there were concerns that problems may arise if they were to marry.

4 General Hospital, established at New Caledonia to treat the personnel of the 3rd New Zealand Division, as VADs, freeing up male orderlies for service with ambulance units in the field.

[3] In addition, recruitment to the WAAC was compromised by women increasingly being diverted into industries on the Home Front rather than joining the available auxiliary corps.

The war in the Pacific was now more favourable and the perceived threat of Japanese invasion had receded; this also affected enlistment.

[15] With the end of hostilities, WAACs ceased their involvement in defensive duties and instead they were engaged in clerical and medical work, as well as signalling and catering.

This followed the introduction of the Human Rights Commission Act 1977, leading to a decision to do away with separate services for women in the New Zealand military.