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Defence Act 1990

Secretary of Defence, Chief of Defence Force, and Chiefs of Service

25: Chief of Defence Force

You could also call this:

"The boss of New Zealand's Defence Force"

Illustration for Defence Act 1990

The Chief of Defence Force has many jobs. You can think of the Chief of Defence Force as the main military adviser to the Minister. The Chief of Defence Force is also in charge of the Defence Force and makes sure it runs well. The Minister gives the Chief of Defence Force a list of tasks and rules to follow. The Chief of Defence Force must do their job according to these rules. The Chief of Defence Force can make decisions and take actions to help the Defence Force work properly, including buying and selling things, and making agreements with other people.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM206019.

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24: Secretary of Defence, or

"The Secretary of Defence is the main person who helps the Minister of Defence make big decisions."

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"The boss of the Defence Force can have some jobs taken away in a war or emergency."

Part 3Secretary of Defence, Chief of Defence Force, and Chiefs of Service

25Chief of Defence Force

  1. In addition to the functions imposed on the Chief of Defence Force by or under this Act or any other enactment, the Chief of Defence Force shall—

  2. be the principal military adviser to the Minister and other Ministers; and
    1. be responsible to the Minister for—
      1. the carrying out of the functions and duties of the Defence Force (including those imposed by any enactment or by the policies of the Government); and
        1. the general conduct of the Defence Force; and
          1. the efficient, effective, and economical management of the activities and resources of the Defence Force; and
          2. be responsible to the appropriate Minister for—
            1. the carrying out of those functions and duties of the Defence Force (including those imposed by any enactment or by the policies of the Government) that relate to that Minister’s portfolio; and
              1. the tendering of advice to that Minister on any matter relating to that Minister’s portfolio.

              2. The Minister shall give to the Chief of Defence Force written terms of reference (not being inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act) setting out the terms and conditions of appointment as Chief of Defence Force, the duties and obligations of that appointment, and the manner in which the Government expects those duties and obligations to be carried out; and it shall be the duty of the Chief of Defence Force to perform the functions and to exercise the powers of the Chief of Defence Force in accordance with those terms of reference.

              3. In the exercise of command, or in the exercise of the functions imposed on the Chief of Defence Force, the Chief of Defence Force may from time to time make such representations as the Chief of Defence Force considers necessary to the Minister or, if the Chief of Defence Force considers the circumstances to be exceptional, to the Prime Minister.

              4. The Chief of Defence Force shall have all such other powers as may be reasonably necessary to enable the Chief of Defence Force to perform the functions and duties imposed on the Chief of Defence Force by or under this Act or any other enactment.

              5. Without limiting the generality of subsection (4), in the performance of any such function or duty the Chief of Defence Force may, in the name and on behalf of the Crown,—

              6. enter into any contract, agreement, or arrangement with any other person; and
                1. purchase, take on lease, dispose of, or trade in any goods, services, or assets (whether tangible or intangible), including land, buildings, equipment, facilities, stores, operating supplies, investments, and ownership of any part of any body corporate; and
                  1. sell or otherwise dispose of, or grant any lease, licence, or easement over, any land or interest in land under the control of the Defence Force.

                    Notes
                    • Section 25(1)(b)(iii): amended, on , by section 8 of the Veterans’ Affairs Act 1999 (1999 No 76).
                    • Section 25(1)(c): added, on , by section 8 of the Veterans’ Affairs Act 1999 (1999 No 76).