New Zealand’s Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Tony Davies, has resigned after disclosing what he described as an inappropriate relationship dating from a period when he held a unit command.
Davies said the resignation resulted from past errors of judgement for which he was taking responsibility.
He acknowledged that the matter had not been disclosed when he previously had an opportunity to do so and said his actions had been contrary to Defence Force values.
The New Zealand Defence Force has not publicly identified the other person involved or provided further details about the relationship.
Defence Minister Paul Goldsmith said the issue concerned integrity matters that Davies had not previously disclosed and that the two had agreed his position was no longer tenable.
Goldsmith said he would recommend that New Zealand’s Governor-General accept the resignation.
The matter has also been referred to an independent inspector-general responsible for investigating military conduct.
Vice Chief of Defence Force Rear Admiral Mat Williams is taking over as acting Chief of Defence Force while the leadership transition is completed.
Davies joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1984 and became Chief of Defence Force in June 2024.
During a military career spanning more than four decades, he served in a number of senior command positions and accumulated thousands of flying hours. He was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit following his role in a difficult mid-winter medical evacuation from Antarctica in 1998.
The Chief of Defence Force is the professional head of New Zealand’s military, commanding the Navy, Army and Air Force and serving as the government’s principal senior military adviser.
WHAT WE KNOW: Davies has acknowledged the relationship and his failure to disclose it. The precise circumstances have not been made public, and the matter has been referred for independent examination.
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