Chief of Defence Force | |
---|---|
![]() Coat of arms of New Zealand | |
since 6 June 2024 | |
Abbreviation | CDF |
Member of | New Zealand Defence Force |
Reports to | Minister of Defence |
Term length | Three years (renewable) |
Constituting instrument | Defence Act 1990 |
Formation | 1 July 1963 |
First holder | Vice Admiral Sir Peter Phipps |
Deputy | Vice Chief of Defence Force |
Website | Official website |
The Chief of Defence Force (CDF) is the appointment held by the professional head of the New Zealand Defence Force. The post has existed under its present name since 1991. From 1963 to 1991 the head of the New Zealand Defence Force was known as the Chief of Defence Staff. All the incumbents have held three-star rank. The current Chief of Defence Force is Air Marshal Tony Davies.[1][2]
Role
[edit]The CDF is the professional head of the defence forces and serves as the principal military advisor to the government. They are responsible for directing the chiefs of service and ensuring morale. The CDF also serves as the chief executive of the defence force, thereby being the person with sole accountability to the government and people of New Zealand.[3]
Appointments
[edit]The following list chronologically records those who have held the post of Chief of Defence Force or its preceding positions, with rank and honours as at the completion of the individual's term.
No. | Portrait | Name | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Defence branch |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chief of Defence Staff | ||||||
1 | Vice Admiral Sir Peter Phipps KBE, DSC & Bar, VRD (1909–1989) | 1 July 1963 | July 1965 | 2 years | RNZN | |
2 | Lieutenant General Sir Leonard Thornton KCB, CBE (1916–1999) | July 1965 | October 1971[4] | 6 years | Army | |
3 | Sir Richard Webb KBE, CB (1919–1990) | Lieutenant General1971 | 1976 | 4–5 years | Army | |
4 | Air Marshal Sir Richard Bolt KBE, CB, DFC, AFC (1923–2014) | 1976 | 1980 | 3–4 years | RNZAF | |
5 | Sir Neil Anderson KBE, CB (1927–2010) | Vice Admiral1980 | 1983 | 2–3 years | RNZN | |
6 | Sir Ewan Jamieson KBE, CB (1930–2013) | Air Marshal1983 | 1986 | 2–3 years | RNZAF | |
7 | David Crooks CB, OBE (1931–2022) | Air Marshal1986 | 1987 | 2–3 years | RNZAF | |
8 | Sir John Mace KBE, CB (born 1932) | Lieutenant General1987 | 1991 | 3–4 years | Army | |
Chief of Defence Force | ||||||
9 | Sir Somerford Teagle KBE | Vice Admiral1991 | 1995 | 3–4 years | RNZN | |
10 | Anthony Birks CB, OBE (1941–2002) | Lieutenant General1995 | 1999 | 3–4 years | Army | |
11 | Carey Adamson CNZM, AFC (1942–2019) | Air Marshal1999 | 2001 | 3–4 years | RNZAF | |
12 | Bruce Ferguson OBE, AFC (born 1949) | Air Marshal2001 | 30 April 2006 | 4–5 years | RNZAF | |
13 | Jerry Mateparae ONZM (born 1954) | Lieutenant General1 May 2006 | 23 January 2011 | 4 years, 267 days | Army | |
14 | Rhys Jones CNZM (born 1960) | Lieutenant General24 January 2011 | 31 January 2014 | 3 years, 7 days | Army | |
15 | Tim Keating MNZM | Lieutenant General1 February 2014 | 30 June 2018 | 4 years, 149 days | Army | |
16 | Kevin Short CNZM | Air Marshal1 July 2018 | 6 June 2024 | 5 years, 341 days | RNZAF | |
17 | Tony Davies MNZM | Air Marshal6 June 2024 | 56 days | RNZAF |
References
[edit]- ^ "Change of Command Ceremony for the Chief of the Defence Force". gg.govt.nz. Government House. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ "Our people, structure and leadership". www.nzdf.mil.nz. New Zealand Defence Force. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ New Zealand Defence Force (8 November 2017). "About Us". nzdf.mil.nz. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^ Pugsley, Chris. "Thornton, Leonard Whitmore". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 30 March 2022.