Chief of Defence Force (New Zealand)

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"Head of the Defence Forces (New Zealand)" redirects here. For position held by the monarch of New Zealand, see Head of the Armed Forces (New Zealand).
Chief of Defence Force
Coat of arms of New Zealand
Incumbent
Air Marshal Kevin Short
since 1 July 2018
AbbreviationCDF
Member ofNew Zealand Defence Force
Reports toMinister of Defence
Term lengthThree years (renewable)
Constituting instrumentDefence Act 1990
Formation1 July 1963
First holderVice Admiral
Sir Peter Phipps
DeputyVice Chief of Defence Force
WebsiteOfficial website

The Chief of Defence Force (CDF) is the appointment held by the professional head of the

three-star rank. The current Chief of Defence Force is Air Marshal Kevin Short.[1]

Role

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

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
VRD
(1909–1989)
1 July 1963July 19652 yearsRNZN
2
CBE
(1916–1999)
July 1965October 1971[3]6 yearsArmy
3
CB

(1919–1990)
197119764–5 yearsArmy
4
CB, DFC, AFC
(1923–2014)
197619803–4 yearsRNZAF
5
CB

(1927–2010)
198019832–3 yearsRNZN
6
CB

(1930–2013)
198319862–3 yearsRNZAF
7
OBE

(1931–2022)
198619872–3 yearsRNZAF
8
CB

(born 1932)
198719913–4 yearsArmy
Chief of Defence Force
9
KBE
199119953–4 yearsRNZN
10
OBE

(1941–2002)
199519993–4 yearsArmy
11199920013–4 yearsRNZAF
12200130 April 20064–5 yearsRNZAF
13
ONZM

(born 1954)
1 May 200623 January 20114 years, 267 daysArmy
14
CNZM

(born 1960)
24 January 201131 January 20143 years, 7 daysArmy
15
MNZM
1 February 201430 June 20184 years, 149 daysArmy
16
Kevin Short
Short, KevinAir Marshal
Kevin Short		1 July 2018Incumbent5 years, 283 daysRNZAF

References

  1. ^ "NZDF website CDF page". Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  2. ^ New Zealand Defence Force (8 November 2017). "About Us". nzdf.mil.nz. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  3. ^ Pugsley, Chris. "Thornton, Leonard Whitmore". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
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