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]
| Chief of Defence Force | |
|---|---|
 Coat of arms of New Zealand | |
| 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 |
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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.[2]
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[3] | 6 years | Army | |
| 3 | Lieutenant General Sir Richard Webb KBE, CB (1919–1990) | 1971 | 1976 | 4–5 years | Army | |
| 4 | Air Marshal Sir Richard Bolt KBE, CB, DFC, AFC (1923–2014) | 1976 | 1980 | 3–4 years | RNZAF | |
| 5 | Vice Admiral Sir Neil Anderson KBE, CB (1927–2010) | 1980 | 1983 | 2–3 years | RNZN | |
| 6 | Air Marshal Sir Ewan Jamieson KBE, CB (1930–2013) | 1983 | 1986 | 2–3 years | RNZAF | |
| 7 | Air Marshal David Crooks CB, OBE (1931–2022) | 1986 | 1987 | 2–3 years | RNZAF | |
| 8 | Lieutenant General Sir John Mace KBE, CB (born 1932) | 1987 | 1991 | 3–4 years | Army | |
| Chief of Defence Force | ||||||
| 9 | Vice Admiral Sir Somerford Teagle KBE | 1991 | 1995 | 3–4 years | RNZN | |
| 10 | Lieutenant General Anthony Birks CB, OBE (1941–2002) | 1995 | 1999 | 3–4 years | Army | |
| 11 | Air Marshal Carey Adamson CNZM, AFC (1942–2019) | 1999 | 2001 | 3–4 years | RNZAF | |
| 12 | Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson OBE, AFC (born 1949) | 2001 | 30 April 2006 | 4–5 years | RNZAF | |
| 13 | Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae ONZM (born 1954) | 1 May 2006 | 23 January 2011 | 4 years, 267 days | Army | |
| 14 | Lieutenant General Rhys Jones CNZM (born 1960) | 24 January 2011 | 31 January 2014 | 3 years, 7 days | Army | |
| 15 | Lieutenant General Tim Keating MNZM | 1 February 2014 | 30 June 2018 | 4 years, 149 days | Army | |
| 16 | Air Marshal Kevin Short CNZM | 1 July 2018 | 6 June 2024 | 5 years, 341 days | RNZAF | |
| 17 | Air Marshal Tony Davies MNZM | 6 June 2024 | 0 days | RNZAF | ||
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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.
- ^ 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.