Defence Act 1990

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

31: Consultation between Secretary of Defence and Chief of Defence Force

You could also call this:

"Defence leaders discuss important issues before advising the Minister"

You need to know that the Secretary of Defence and the Chief of Defence Force talk to each other about big defence policy issues. They do this before giving advice to the Minister or other Ministers. The Minister can ask them to have formal talks about advice they give. The Secretary or Chief of Defence Force can ask the Minister to make them have these talks, and the Minister writes back with their decision. This talking process does not change the jobs or responsibilities of the Secretary or the Chief of Defence Force.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM206032.

This page was last updated on 14 December 2025 — View changes

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

31Consultation between Secretary of Defence and Chief of Defence Force

The Secretary of Defence and the Chief of Defence Force shall consult with each other on any advice on any major matters of defence policy that is to be given by the Secretary or the Chief of Defence Force to the Minister or other Ministers.
The Minister may from time to time require the Secretary of Defence and the Chief of Defence Force to consult formally with each other on any advice that is to be, or could be, or has been given by the Secretary or the Chief of Defence Force to the Minister.
The Secretary or the Chief of Defence Force may recommend to the Minister that the Minister should issue a requirement to consult under subsection (2), and the Minister shall inform the Secretary and Chief of Defence Force in writing of the Minister’s decision on the recommendation.
No requirement to consult under this section shall affect any duty, obligation, or power of the Secretary or the Chief of Defence Force, or the responsibility of the Secretary or the Chief of Defence Force for the performance of any duty or obligation or the exercise of any power.