List of military units based in or affiliated with the South Island

Royal New Zealand Navy bases and ships of the South Island

 * HMNZS Canterbury (L421) - Multi Role Vessel: 2007-
 * HMNZS Hawea (2007) - Protector class inshore patrol vessel: 2007-
 * HMNZS Otago (P148) - Protector Class Ocean Patrol Vessel: 2007-
 * HMNZS Pegasus, RNZNVR Establishment, Christchurch
 * HMNZS Pukaki (2008) - Protector class inshore patrol vessel: 2008-
 * HMNZS Toroa, RNZNVR Establishment, Dunedin

Former Royal New Zealand Navy bases, ships and units of the South Island

 * HMNZS Canterbury (F421) - Leander-class frigate: 1971–2005
 * HMNZS Charles Upham (A02) - Military sealift ship: 1995–2000
 * HMNZS Hautapu (T26) - Castle-class minesweeper: 1943–1947
 * HMNZS Hawea (F422) - Loch-class frigate: 1948–1957
 * HMNZS Kiwi (P3554) - Moa class patrol boat: 1984–2007
 * HMNZS Lyttelton - Examination vessel: 1942–1944
 * HMNZS Moa (P3553) - Moa class patrol boat: 1984–2007
 * HMNZS Monowai (F59) - armed merchant cruiser and Landing Ship, Infantry: 1940–1943
 * HMNZS Monowai (A06) - Hydrographic survey vessel: 1975–1997
 * HMNZS Otago (F111) - Rothesay-class frigate: 1960–1983
 * HMNZS Pukaki (F424) - Loch-class frigate: 1948–1966
 * HMNZS Southland (F104) - Leander-class frigate: 1983–1997
 * HMNZS Stina - Examination vessel: 1942–1944
 * HMNZS Tasman - Training vessel: 1944–1946
 * HMNZS Tasman - Former Naval Base at Lyttelton
 * HMNZS Tuirangi - Examination vessel: 1942–1944
 * HMNZS Waima (T33) - Castle-class minesweeper: 1943–1946
 * HMNZS Wairangi - Examination vessel: 1940–1944
 * 3rd Minesweeping Group, Royal New Zealand Navy

Royal New Zealand Air Force bases and units of the South Island

 * RNZAF Air Movements Harewood, Christchurch
 * RNZAF Base Wigram, Christchurch
 * RNZAF Base Woodbourne
 * RNZAF Command Training School
 * RNZAF Dip Flat, Nelson Lakes District
 * RNZAF General Service Training School
 * RNZAF Museum, Wigram, Christchurch

Former Royal New Zealand Air Force bases and units of the South Island

 * RNZAF Addington
 * RNZAF Cashmere
 * RNZAF Darfield
 * RNZAF Dillions Point
 * RNZAF Eyreton (Harris Field)
 * RNZAF Hillside, Dunedin
 * RNZAF Lyttelton
 * RNZAF Maronan
 * RNZAF Mayfield
 * RNZAF Milton
 * RNZAF Momona
 * RNZAF Outram
 * RNZAF Station Ashburton
 * RNZAF Station Birdlings Flat
 * RNZAF Station Christchurch Central
 * RNZAF Station Delta
 * RNZAF Station Fairhall
 * RNZAF Station Harwood
 * RNZAF Station Norwood
 * RNZAF Station Nelson
 * RNZAF Station Omaka
 * RNZAF Station Taieri
 * RNZAF Station Te Pirita
 * RNZAF Station Weedons
 * RNZAF Waimakariri
 * No. 1 Electrical and Wireless School
 * No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School
 * No. 1 Flying Training School RNZAF
 * No. 1 Ground Training Depot
 * No. 1 Repair Depot
 * No. 1 Service Flying Training School RNZAF
 * No. 2 Aircraft Storage Unit
 * No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School
 * No. 2 Service Flying Training School
 * No. 2 Squadron RNZAF
 * No. 3 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Flight
 * No. 3 Electrical and Wireless Training Squadron
 * No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School
 * No. 3 Repair Depot RNZAF
 * No. 3 Squadron RNZAF
 * No. 3 Stores Depot
 * No. 3 Technical Training School
 * No. 4 Squadron RNZAF
 * No. 4 Technical Training Centre
 * No. 10 Squadron RNZAF
 * No. 11 Squadron RNZAF
 * No. 12 Squadron RNZAF
 * No. 16 Squadron RNZAF
 * No. 18 Squadron RNZAF
 * No. 21 Squadron RNZAF
 * No. 22 Squadron RNZAF
 * No. 31 Squadron RNZAF
 * No. 32 Squadron RNZAF
 * No. 41 Squadron RNZAF
 * No. 43 Squadron RNZAF
 * 311 Electrical and Wireless Squadron
 * Administrative Training School
 * Airframe Reconditioning Squadron RNZAF (RNZAF Base Woodbourne)
 * Navigation and Air Electronics Training Squadron RNZAF
 * Pilot Training Squadron RNZAF
 * RNZAF Advanced Ground Training Squadron
 * Central Flying School RNZAF (1945–1993)
 * Elementary Ground Training Squadron
 * RNZAF Ground Training Depot
 * RNZAF Initial Training Wing
 * RNZAF NCO's School
 * RNZAF Officers' School of Instruction
 * RNZAF School of General Reconnaissance
 * RNZAF Southern Group Headquarters

South Island bases and units of the New Zealand Army

 * Burnham Army Camp
 * Tekapo Army Training Area
 * HQ 3 Land Force Group
 * Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles, Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps - Reconnaissance Role (30 NZLAV)
 * 2nd/1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (Light Infantry)
 * 2nd Canterbury, and Nelson-Marlborough and West Coast Battalion Group (Territorial Force)
 * 4th Otago and Southland Battalion Group (Territorial Force)
 * 3 Field Troop, 2 Engineer Regiment, Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers
 * 3 Signals Squadron Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals
 * 3 Logistics Battalion, Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment
 * 3 Military Police Platoon, Royal New Zealand Military Police
 * Medical Treatment Centre, 2 Health Services Battalion, Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps
 * Army Adventure Training Centre
 * 3 Regional Training Unit
 * Health Services School, 2 Health Services Battalion, Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps
 * New Zealand Army Band

Former South Island bases and units of the New Zealand Army
Historically the South Island has provided 1/3 of the New Zealand Army's strength.
 * HQ Southern Military District, King Edward Barracks, Christchurch
 * 5th Division (New Zealand) (1942–1943)
 * HQ 3 Infantry Brigade, King Edward Barracks, Christchurch
 * Addington Barracks, Christchurch
 * Canterbury and Nelson Military District Ordnance Depot, King Edwards Barracks, Christchurch, 1907 to 1921
 * Canterbury Infantry Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, (1914–1919)
 * Canterbury Mounted Rifle Regiment (1911–1921)
 * Canterbury and Nelson Military District Stores Depot, King Edwards Barracks, Christchurch, (1907 to 1921)
 * Canterbury Regiment (1921–1964)
 * Canterbury Rifle Volunteers (1859–1866)
 * Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry (1921–1944)*
 * Otago Districts Stores Depot, Defence Stores Department, St Andrews Street (1907 to 1921)
 * Fort Arthur, Nelson
 * King Edward Barracks, Christchurch
 * Marlborough Rifle Volunteers (1861–1866)
 * Nelson Battalion of Militia (1845)
 * Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Regiment (1923–1964)
 * Nelson-Marlborough Mounted Rifles(1921–1944)
 * Nelson Volunteer Rifles (1860–1901)
 * Otago and Southland Regiment (1948–1964)
 * Otago Mounted Rifle Regiment (1911–1921)
 * Otago Mounted Rifles (1921–1944)
 * Otago Regiment (1921–1948)
 * Otago Infantry Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, (1914–1919)
 * Southern Districts Ordnance Depot (1921 to 1968)
 * Southland Regiment (1921–1948)
 * 1st (Canterbury) Regiment (1911–1921)
 * 1st Mounted Rifles (Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry) (1911–1944)
 * 2nd Battalion (Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast), Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (1964–1999)
 * 2nd (South Canterbury) Regiment (1911–1921)
 * 3rd Armoured Regiment, Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps (1944–1956)
 * 3 Central Ordnance Deport(1968 to 1979)
 * 3 Field Ambulance, Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps
 * 3rd Field Regiment Royal New Zealand Artillery (1940–1990)
 * 3 Field Squadron, Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers
 * 3 Supply Company (1979 to 1993)
 * 3 Transport Squadron, Royal New Zealand Corps of Transport
 * 4th Battalion (Otago and Southland), Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (1964–1999)
 * 4th (Otago Rifles) Regiment (1911–1921)
 * 5th Mounted Rifles (Otago Hussars) (1911–1921)
 * 5th Light Regiment Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery (1956–1964)
 * 7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles (1911–1921)
 * 8th (South Canterbury) Mounted Rifles (1911–1921)
 * 8th (Southland Rifles) Regiment (1911–1921)
 * 10th (Nelson) Mounted Rifles (1911–1921)
 * 10th (North Otago Rifles) Regiment (1911–1921)
 * 11th Coast Regiment Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery
 * 12th (Nelson and Marlborough) Regiment (1911–1921)
 * 12th (Otago) Mounted Rifles (1911–1921)
 * 13th Coast Regiment Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery
 * 13th (North Canterbury and Westland) Regiment (1911–1921)
 * 14th (South Otago Rifles) Regiment (1911–1921)
 * 20th Armoured Regiment, 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, (1939–1945)
 * 20th Battalion, 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, (1939–1945)
 * 23rd Battalion, 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, (1939–1945)
 * 26th Battalion, 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, (1939–1945)
 * 30th Battalion, 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, (1939–1945)
 * 37th Battalion, 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, (1939–1945)