Change of Command ceremony

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I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.  Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the afternoon (Sign)

I then specifically greet you: Hon Dr Wayne Mapp, Minister of Defence; Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, Chief of Defence Force and Mrs Janine Mateparae; Rear Admiral Tony Parr, Chief of Navy and Mrs Carole Parr; Major General Rhys Jones, Chief of Army and Chief of Defence Force-designate, and Mrs Debbie Jones; Air Vice Marshal Graham Lintott, Chief of Air Force, and Mrs Dianne Lintott; John McKinnon, Secretary of Defence, and Mrs Avenal McKinnon; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. 

It is with pleasure that my wife Susan and I welcome you to Government House Auckland.  This ceremony serves a number of purposes and I will deal with each in turn.

The first is to farewell General Mateparae as Chief of Defence Force, bringing to a close 38 years’ service in the New Zealand military.  Enlisting as a soldier in 1972, you quickly rose through the ranks after officer training to lead significant missions in Timor Leste, Bougainville and the Middle East.  You were appointed Chief of Army in 2002 and Chief of Defence in 2006.

In the time as CDF, you have played a pivotal role in a remarkable period in the history of New Zealand’s military forces.  There has been significant capital investment in the Navy and Air Force, as well as major overseas commitments, in Timor Leste, the Solomon Islands, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

The Defence Force has also gained an expanded role in supporting New Zealand’s young people with the expansion of the Limited Service Volunteer Scheme, as well as undertaking a host of operations with other agencies, such as the Police, Customs, Fisheries, Conservation and Antarctica New Zealand.

The Defence Force also assisted with a number of humanitarian emergencies, most recently the devastating tsunami that struck Samoa and Tonga in September 2009 and the destructive cyclones experienced in the Cook Islands and Fiji in early 2010.

It is a tribute to the men and women of the New Zealand Defence Force and your leadership, General Mateparae, that all this was accomplished while Force continued to deliver on its day-to-day commitments.

As Commander-in-Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force, I want to put on record thanks to you, General Mateparae for your outstanding service and to wish you all the best for your new role as Director of the Government Communications Security Bureau.

My second duty is to appoint Warrant Officer Class One Alan Cunningham as Warrant Officer of New Zealand Defence Force. Joining the Army in 1978, you were appointed Sergeant Major of the Army in 2009.  In 33 years’ of service, you have received many awards, having served in Australia, Afghanistan and Yugoslavia.

In your new role, you will be the New Zealand Defence Force’s most senior non-commissioned officer.  As a member of the CDF’s staff, you will be responsible for the strategic direction of the Force’s non-commissioned personnel. I wish you all the best with your new position.

If you need a role model, there is probably none better than the man who is about to be promoted to the rank of Major, namely Warrant Officer Class One John Barclay. Joining the New Zealand Army in 1977, you were appointed Sergeant Major of the Army in 2002 and became the first Warrant Officer of the Defence Force in 2006.

In 34 years’ of service, you have received many awards, including the prestigious Meritorious Service Medal, which is limited to 45 serving personnel.  In your current role, and with the support of the three service Warrant Officers, you have played a key leadership role, ensuring that senior non-commissioned officers fully contribute to the NZDF’s future direction.  I congratulate you on your promotion and wish you all the best with your new role with the United Nations in Afghanistan.

And last, but by no means least, my final and pleasant duty is to promote Major General Rhys Jones to the rank of Lieutenant General and to present you, General Jones, with the warrant appointing you as Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force.  

General Jones, you enlisted with the New Zealand Army in 1978 before graduating as an officer four years later.  As well as service in Lebanon, you have held a number of training posts in New Zealand and Australia and commanded at many senior levels within the Defence Force.

You take command, General Jones, of the New Zealand Defence Force at a critical time.  The Government’s Defence White Paper, released late last year, sets the strategic direction of New Zealand’s defence for the next 25 years.  It outlines an uncertain future where the New Zealand Defence Force will face many challenges. 

The White Paper also sets ambitious targets and it will call heavily on your strategic leadership and management experience to bring them to fruition.  I congratulate you on your promotion and appointment and wish you well with your new role.

In conclusion, as Commander-in-Chief, I would like to congratulate and thank each of you four men for your service.  I also want to recognise your families, whose support has been essential for your achievements. Between the four of you there is more than 130 years’ of service to New Zealand.  It is a mighty record that speaks of dedication to the values of the New Zealand Defence Force-courage, commitment, comradeship and integrity.

And on that note of congratulations, I will close in New Zealand’s first language, offering everyone greetings and wishing you all good health and fortitude in your endeavours.  No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.