Goldsmith declines a sweeping judgment on NZDF culture
Paul GoldsmithMinister of Defence, answering a question from the NZ Herald
Asked whether NZDF has a cultural problem, Goldsmith says any large organisation has issues but declines to make a sweeping judgment.
“In any large organisation you have issues, no question about that. But I don't want to make a sweeping judgment on this issue.”
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
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
The Herald asked the question in its report on a letter that former flight sergeant Kate Staunton sent Davies days before he resigned. The letter concerned a relationship he was alleged to have had in 2006 with a woman under his command, and Staunton's view that the Air Force applied its rules on relationships selectively.
After the quotation
The Herald reports that NZDF said it would answer its questions about Davies's alleged conduct at 40 Squadron and about Staunton's complaint in due course.
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 around Davies, including whether it reflects a wider NZDF problem, Goldsmith accepts that large organisations have issues and expressly declines to make a broader judgment. He does not call the issues minor, so minimizes does not fit, and he does not defend the vetting process.
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- People and groups discussed
- New Zealand Defence Force
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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. "Goldsmith declines a sweeping judgment on NZDF culture". First published: 2026-10-28. Last updated: 2026-10-28. https://disputeindex.com/events/6822-asked-whether-nzdf-has-a-cultural-problem-goldsmith