Kevin Short explains his command inquiry and says a junior airwoman would have found it very hard to speak out
Kevin ShortFormer Chief of Defence Force and Davies's former commander, interviewed by the NZ Herald
Short says a junior airwoman would have found it very hard to speak out against her commanding officer, and that he ordered a command investigation around 2006 because the conduct was wrong even then.
“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.”
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
Former Chief of Defence Force Kevin Short tells the Herald he ordered a command investigation around 2006 into allegations about Davies and a junior member of 40 Squadron, and that nobody substantiated the relationship. He describes the Public Service Commission's selection process as including questions and declarations meant to surface past conduct. A Commission spokesman says Davies was appointed before its checks were strengthened and announces an internal assurance review of his appointment. Goldsmith says replacing Davies will wait until after the election.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Short tells the Herald he ordered a command investigation around 2006 and that nobody substantiated the relationship. Asked whether a junior airwoman would have found it difficult to speak out against her commanding officer, he acknowledges the imbalance of power.
After the quotation
Short says he knew only of rumours and never received evidence establishing the relationship. He describes the Public Service Commission's selection process as including questions and declarations meant to surface past conduct, and says he suspects disclosure would have ruled Davies out.
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, Short presents the 2006 command investigation as his response to conduct that was wrong even then. He also concedes that the power imbalance made it very hard for a junior airwoman to speak out, a limit on what that inquiry could find. Condemns would describe his view of the relationship itself, which is not this case's reference point.
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- 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
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
Goldsmith declines a sweeping judgment on NZDF culture
“In any large organisation you have issues, no question about that. But I don't want to make a sweeping judgment on this issue.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Kevin Short explains his command inquiry and says a junior airwoman would have found it very hard to speak out". First published: 2026-10-28. Last updated: 2026-10-28. https://disputeindex.com/events/7123-short-says-a-junior-airwoman-would-have-found