Auckland (The NZ Today)
New Zealand’s Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Tony Davies, has resigned with immediate effect after acknowledging an undisclosed inappropriate relationship from an earlier command role.
Defence Minister Paul Goldsmith said the matter raised integrity concerns serious enough that Davies could no longer remain in the position.
Goldsmith said the issue had not previously been disclosed and had now been referred to the Inspector-General of Defence.
Davies, in his own statement, said the resignation followed “errors of judgement” that were inconsistent with Defence Force values.
He said the matter centred on an inappropriate relationship while he was in a position of unit command and that he regretted not disclosing it when he had the opportunity.
The exact circumstances of the relationship have not been made public.
Goldsmith said he would recommend to the Governor-General that Davies’ resignation be accepted.
The Defence Force is now moving responsibilities to Vice Chief of Defence Force Rear Admiral Mat Williams, who will serve as acting Chief of Defence Force.
The resignation has also prompted calls for a wider examination of how the issue was handled internally.
Former Defence Minister and New Zealand First candidate Ron Mark said the circumstances should be investigated thoroughly, including what was known, when it was known and whether Defence Force processes failed to identify the matter earlier.
He said the resignation would come as a shock to Defence Force personnel and described the situation as highly unusual.
The Inspector-General’s involvement is expected to bring greater scrutiny to both Davies’ conduct and the processes surrounding disclosure and oversight within the Defence Force.
Source: RNZ
