Military Chief Resigns, Admits to Inappropriate Relationship

New Zealand Defence Force chief Air Marshal Tony Davies resigned on Friday after acknowledging that he had an inappropriate relationship while serving as a military unit commander.

In a statement, the New Zealand Defence Force said Davies had submitted his resignation to Defence Minister Paul Goldsmith. Davies said he had made the decision for personal reasons and to take responsibility for a past error of judgement.

“That error of judgement was contrary to the values of the Defence Force,” Davies said in a statement cited by Reuters on Monday (26 October 2026).

He said the matter concerned an inappropriate relationship while he was in a unit command position. Davies also acknowledged that he regretted not disclosing the relationship when he had the opportunity.

Defence Minister Paul Goldsmith said Davies’ position had become untenable. Goldsmith said the decision related to an integrity issue that Davies had not previously disclosed.

He said he would recommend that the Governor-General of New Zealand accept the resignation. In the interim, Deputy Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force Vice Marshal Mat Williams will serve as acting head of the force.

Davies joined the New Zealand military in 1984 and was appointed Chief of the Defence Force in 2024. His resignation has drawn attention because it involves the country’s most senior military official and questions of integrity while holding a command position.