Kate Staunton says others aware of the alleged relationship said nothing
Kate StauntonFormer RNZAF flight sergeant, in a letter to Davies quoted by the NZ Herald
Staunton writes that people aware of Davies's alleged relationship at 40 Squadron said nothing and left the woman involved to deal with the aftermath alone.
“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.”
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
Staunton, who served 26 years in the RNZAF, wrote to Davies days before he resigned. The Herald reports that her letter referred to a relationship he was alleged to have had in 2006 with a woman under his command at 40 Squadron, and that the woman confirmed the letter's account that she was formally investigated and later left the service. The Herald understands the relationship was denied at the time.
After the quotation
Staunton told the Herald she wanted the circumstances examined properly and fairly, without anyone being presumed guilty. NZDF said it would answer the Herald's questions in due course.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to how integrity information about Davies was handled, Staunton criticizes people who she says knew of the alleged conduct and stayed silent. That is a direct criticism of the handling rather than a question or a conditional view, so condemns fits.
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- New Zealand Defence Force
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The Dispute Index. "Kate Staunton says others aware of the alleged relationship said nothing". First published: 2026-10-28. Last updated: 2026-10-28. https://disputeindex.com/events/6823-staunton-writes-that-people-aware-of-davies-s