New Zealand Defence Chief Steps Down Over Improper Relationship
WHO:
ABC News - Air Marshal Tony Davies was chief of New Zealand’s military, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).
ABC News - Rear Admiral Mat Williams was the NZDF vice chief and was to take over leadership during the transition.
ABC News - New Zealand Defense Minister Paul Goldsmith said he had received Davies’ resignation.
ABC News - The NZDF and an independent inspector-general were involved in handling the matter.
NY Post - Air Marshal Tony Davies was New Zealand’s military chief and resigned after admitting to an inappropriate relationship as a unit leader.
WHAT:
ABC News - Davies resigned after admitting to an inappropriate relationship while serving in a position of command.
ABC News - Davies said: “I regret not disclosing this when I had the opportunity to do so.”
ABC News - Davies described his resignation as being “for personal reasons” and resulting from “errors of judgement made by me in the past, for which I am taking responsibility.”
ABC News - Davies said the errors of judgment were “contrary to the values of the Defence Force.”
ABC News - The military said it would not comment further and that the matter had been referred to an independent inspector-general who investigates military conduct.
ABC News - Goldsmith called the situation an “integrity matter” and said he agreed with Davies that his position was no longer tenable.
ABC News - Goldsmith acknowledged Davies’ 42 years of service and contribution to the NZDF, and said the circumstances of the resignation would be a great disappointment to Defence Force personnel.
WHERE:
ABC News - The report identified Wellington, New Zealand, as the dateline.
ABC News - Davies graduated from the U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff Course at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama.
ABC News - Davies graduated from the Royal College of Defence Studies in London.
ABC News - Davies was recognized for his role in evacuating a critically ill U.S. citizen from Antarctica.
WHEN:
ABC News - Davies joined New Zealand’s Air Force in 1984 and became NZDF chief in 2024.
ABC News - Davies graduated from the U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff Course in 2000 and the Royal College of Defence Studies in 2013.
ABC News - Davies was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1998.
ABC News - The article says Davies resigned Friday; it does not provide a calendar date.
ABC News - Davies did not specify when the relationship occurred.
WHY:
ABC News - Davies said his resignation followed past errors of judgment that he took responsibility for and that were contrary to NZDF values.
ABC News - Goldsmith said the circumstances made Davies’ position no longer tenable.
HOW:
ABC News - Davies made the admission and resignation in statements; the matter was referred to an independent inspector-general for investigation.
(UPDATED October 23, 2026 07:26 UTC)
New Zealand’s military chief, Air Marshal Tony Davies, has resigned after admitting to an inappropriate relationship while serving in a command position. Davies said he was leaving for personal reasons, taking responsibility for past errors of judgment that he said were contrary to Defence Force values. “I regret not disclosing this when I had the opportunity to do so,” he said. Defence Minister Paul Goldsmith described the matter as an integrity issue and agreed Davies could no longer remain in the role. Goldsmith also recognized Davies’ 42 years of service, while saying the circumstances would disappoint Defence Force personnel. Rear Admiral Mat Williams, the force’s vice chief, is to take over leadership during the transition. The military has referred the matter to an independent inspector-general, who investigates military conduct, and says it will not comment further. Davies joined the Air Force in 1984 and became NZDF chief in 2024.