Chief of Defence Force (New Zealand)

Chief of Defence Force
Incumbent Kevin Short since 1 July 2018
Member of	New Zealand Defence Force
Reports to	Minister of Defence
Term length	Three years (renewable)
Inaugural holder	Vice Admiral Sir Peter Phipps
Formation	1 July 1963

The Chief of Defence Force (CDF) is the appointment held by the professional head of the New Zealand Defence Force. The post has existed under its present name since 1991. From 1963 to 1991 the head of the New Zealand Defence Force was known as the Chief of Defence Staff. All the incumbents have held three-star rank.

The current Chief of Defence Force is Air Marshal Kevin Short.^[1]

Appointees

The following list chronologically records those who have held the post of Chief of Defence Force or its preceding positions, with rank and honours as at the completion of the individual's term.

№		Name	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Defence branch
Chief of Defence Staff
1		Phipps, PeterVice Admiral Sir Peter Phipps KBE, DSC & Bar, VRD (1909–1989)	1 July 1963	July 1965	2 years	RNZN
2		Thornton, LeonardLieutenant General Sir Leonard Thornton KCB, CBE (1916–1999)	July 1965	1971	5–6 years	Army
3		Webb, RichardLieutenant General Sir Richard Webb KBE, CB (1919–1990)	1971	1976	4–5 years	Army
4		Bolt, RichardAir Marshal Sir Richard Bolt KBE, CB, DFC, AFC (1923–2014)	1976	1980	3–4 years	RNZAF
5		Anderson, NeilVice Admiral Sir Neil Anderson KBE, CB (1927–2010)	1980	1983	2–3 years	RNZN
6		Jamieson, EwanAir Marshal Sir Ewan Jamieson KBE, CB (1930–2013)	1983	1986	2–3 years	RNZAF
7		Crooks, DavidAir Marshal David Crooks CB, OBE (born 1931)	1986	1987	2–3 years	RNZAF
8		Mace, JohnLieutenant General Sir John Mace KBE, CB (born 1932)	1987	1991	3–4 years	Army
Chief of Defence Force
9		Teagle, SomerfordVice Admiral Sir Somerford Teagle KBE	1991	1995	3–4 years	RNZN
10		Birks, Anthony LeonardLieutenant General Anthony Birks CB, OBE (1941–2002)	1995	1999	3–4 years	Army
11		Adamson, CareyAir Marshal Carey Adamson CNZM, AFC (born 1942)	1999	2001	3–4 years	RNZAF
12		Ferguson, BruceAir Marshal Bruce Ferguson DCNZM, OBE, AFC (born 1949)	2001	30 April 2006	4–5 years	RNZAF
13		Mateparae, JerryLieutenant General Jerry Mateparae ONZM (born 1954)	1 May 2006	23 January 2011	7003172800000000000♠4 years, 267 days	Army
14		Jones, RhysLieutenant General Rhys Jones CNZM (born 1960)	24 January 2011	31 January 2014	7003110300000000000♠3 years, 7 days	Army
15		Keating, TimLieutenant General Tim Keating MNZM	1 February 2014	30 June 2018	7003161000000000000♠4 years, 149 days	Army
16		Short, KevinAir Marshal Kevin Short	1 July 2018	Incumbent	7002106000000000000♠106 days	RNZAF

References