New Zealand defence chief resigns over 'inappropriate relationship'
Air Marshal Tony Davies has resigned as New Zealand's chief of Defence Force after admitting an 'inappropriate relationship' while in a position of unit command that he failed to disclose.
New Zealand’s military chief, Air Marshal Tony Davies, has resigned after admitting an “inappropriate relationship” he had while in a position of unit command — and saying he failed to disclose it.
Davies informed Defence Minister Paul Goldsmith of his resignation on Friday, effective immediately. In a statement, he said: “The resignation is for personal reasons, and results from errors of judgement made by me in the past, for which I am taking responsibility. The errors of judgement were contrary to the values of the Defence Force.”
“These matters revolved around an inappropriate relationship I had when in a position of unit command, and I regret not disclosing this when I had the opportunity to do so,” Davies added. He said his focus was now on his family and asked for privacy (Stuff NZ; 1News).
Goldsmith said the reasons related to “integrity matters that he did not previously disclose” and that Davies’ position was “no longer tenable”. He will recommend to the Governor-General that she accept the resignation, and acknowledged Davies’ 42 years of service.
Chief of Army Major General Rose King will act as defence chief until Sunday, when Vice Chief of Defence Force Rear Admiral Mat Williams takes over. The Defence Force has referred the matter to the Inspector-General of Defence.
Davies joined New Zealand’s military in 1984 and was appointed chief of Defence Force in 2024.
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