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Defence Act 1990

Constitutional position of armed forces

8: Chief of Defence Force

You could also call this:

"The Boss of New Zealand's Armed Forces"

Illustration for Defence Act 1990

The Governor-General in Council can appoint an officer from the Armed Forces to be the Chief of Defence Force. You will have a Chief of Defence Force who is in charge of the Armed Forces. The Chief of Defence Force is in charge of the Navy, Army, and Air Force, and can also be in charge of joint forces.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM205885.

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Part 1Constitutional position of armed forces

8Chief of Defence Force

  1. The Governor-General in Council may from time to time appoint an officer of the Armed Forces to be the Chief of Defence Force.

  2. The Chief of Defence Force shall hold such rank as the Governor-General in Council may determine.

  3. The Chief of Defence Force shall—

  4. command the Navy through the Chief of Navy, the Army through the Chief of Army, and the Air Force through the Chief of Air Force: and
    1. command any joint force either directly through the joint force commander or through the Chief of any Service.

      Notes
      • Section 8(3)(a): substituted, on , by section 3 of the Defence Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 49).
      • Section 8(3)(b): amended, on , by section 4 of the Defence Amendment Act 2007 (2007 No 51).