Lieutenant General Timothy Keating, of Lower Hutt, CNZM, for services to the New Zealand Defence Force
Tim Keating was Chief of Defence Force from 2014 to 2018. Under his command, the Defence Force helped train Iraqi personnel to respond to the rise of ISIL in the Middle East and contributed to anti-piracy efforts in the region. He strengthened New Zealand’s international military relationships and oversaw effective responses to a series of natural disasters. He championed programmes such as the ‘Force for Families’ information hub and discount scheme, the ‘Operation Respect’ programme, established to make the Defence Force a safer workplace, and the ‘More Military Women’ programme, as well as new mental health and wellbeing strategies. He oversaw the Defence Force’s involvement in New Zealand’s World War One/Gallipoli centenary commemorations programme. Lieutenant General Keating steered the development of a 10-year strategy for a more integrated Defence Force.