New Zealand military chief resigns over inappropriate relationship
New Zealand's top military officer quit Friday after he admitted to an improper relationship while he led a unit, according to AP. Air Marshal Tony Davies said he regrets that he did not disclose it when he had the chance. He did not say when it happened or who it was with.
New Zealand's military chief, Air Marshal Tony Davies, resigned Friday after admitting to an inappropriate relationship as a unit leader, according to AP. The New York Post carried the AP report.
"I regret not disclosing this when I had the opportunity to do so," Davies said in a statement, AP reported. He did not describe the relationship or say when it happened, AP said.
Davies said he quit for personal reasons and blamed past mistakes he had made, AP reported. "I am taking responsibility," he said, according to AP.
He said the errors went against the military's values, AP reported.
Davies joined New Zealand's Air Force in 1984, AP reported. He became chief of the country's armed forces in 2024, it said.
The military said its vice chief, Rear Admiral Mat Williams, is taking over, AP reported. It said it would not comment further, according to AP. The case has been sent to an independent inspector-general who looks into military conduct, AP said.
Defense Minister Paul Goldsmith said he had received the resignation, AP reported. He called it an "integrity matter," AP said. Goldsmith said he and Davies agreed that Davies could no longer stay in the job, according to AP.
"I acknowledge his 42 years of service," Goldsmith said, according to AP. He added that the way Davies left "will be a great disappointment" to the people who serve in the military, AP reported.
Davies trained at an Air Force college in Alabama in 2000 and at a defense college in London in 2013, AP reported, citing the military's website. In 1998, he was honored for helping evacuate a critically ill person from Antarctica in midwinter, AP said.
What we know: Davies resigned after admitting to a relationship he says he should have disclosed.
What we don't: Who the relationship involved and when it took place. Only AP has reported this so far; NewsHabit hasn't seen independent confirmation.
Where outlets agree AP reports that Air Marshal Tony Davies resigned as New Zealand's military chief after admitting to an inappropriate relationship as a unit leader. The New York Post carried the same AP report.
Where they differ AP reports the case as Davies and the defense minister describe it. The military said it would not comment further, according to AP.