Hague questions Davies's disclosures during security vetting
Matthew HagueMilitary lawyer and former Defence Force member, speaking in a Newstalk ZB interview; also an ACT candidate
Hague says an integrity breach would raise questions about Davies's disclosures during repeated security vetting.
“there's questions about whether he disclosed it over the years during that process as well”
Interview
Original text
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Tony Davies resignation: vetting and disclosure questions
Tony Davies resigned as New Zealand's defence chief after acknowledging an undisclosed inappropriate relationship. Former Defence Minister Ron Mark says the Public Service Commission and military leadership failed the Minister. The NZ Herald reports a letter sent to Davies days earlier about an alleged 2006 relationship. NZDF and Defence Minister Paul Goldsmith cite an Inspector-General referral and give no further detail.
Source and context
Interview
About this source
Hague discusses security vetting and disclosure while stressing uncertainty about the circumstances. The interview includes questions from du Plessis-Allan. Hague's discussion of possible integrity breaches is conditional.
Original text
About this source
ACT's candidate biography identifies Hague as the director of Frontline Law and a former member of the Navy, Defence Force and Police. It supports identification and political capacity, not an ACT position on Davies's resignation.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Reporting
About this source
The Herald reports that former RNZAF flight sergeant Kate Staunton wrote to Davies days before his resignation about a relationship he was alleged to have had in 2006 with a woman under his command at 40 Squadron. It reports that the woman confirmed the letter's account that she was formally investigated and later left the service, and that it understands the relationship was denied at the time. The article also covers Staunton's separate complaint about how NZDF handled another alleged relationship. NZDF said it would answer the Herald's questions in due course, and the article identifies lawyer Matthew Hague as acting for Staunton.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Du Plessis-Allan asks about vetting and how the matter surfaced. Hague describes security vetting as rigorous and makes his disclosure concern conditional on an integrity breach. He says his connection to someone involved limits what he can discuss, without specifying the connection.
After the quotation
Hague links the questions to Davies's repeated vetting. He does not conclude that institutional checks failed. The Herald later reported that Hague acts for Kate Staunton, a former RNZAF flight sergeant who wrote to Davies days before he resigned.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to the handling of integrity information in Davies's vetting, Hague makes his criticism depend on an unresolved integrity breach. He raises disclosure questions without concluding that the checks failed.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Tony Davies
More from this case
Read the full casePublic Service Commission says Davies's appointment predated stronger checks and opens a review
Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission
“Air Marshal Davies was appointed prior to this, in 2024. The commission is commencing an internal assurance review of Air Marshal Davies’ appointment process, including to identify any further lessons that can be learned.”Read statement
Kevin Short explains his command inquiry and says a junior airwoman would have found it very hard to speak out
“Oh, yes, it would be. It would be very hard to do that. ... In those days, it was still wrong ... because it was a power difference. And that’s why I started a command investigation.”Read statement
Kate Staunton says others aware of the alleged relationship said nothing
“Others who were aware of the alleged inappropriate conduct said nothing, choosing instead to stand by and allow the young woman to deal with the aftermath entirely on her own.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Hague questions Davies's disclosures during security vetting". First published: 2026-10-28. Last updated: 2026-10-28. https://disputeindex.com/events/6578-hague-says-an-integrity-breach-would-raise-questions