Public Service Commission says Davies's appointment predated stronger checks and opens a review
Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service CommissionPublic Service Commission spokesman, in a statement to the NZ Herald
A Commission spokesman says Davies was appointed in 2024, before its recruitment checks were strengthened, and that it is beginning an internal assurance review of his appointment process to identify any further lessons.
“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.”
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
A Commission spokesman tells the Herald its recruitment processes were strengthened last year after an independent review of reference and probity checks before Jevon McSkimming's appointment as Deputy Police Commissioner in 2023.
After the quotation
The spokesman adds that Davies has admitted he did not disclose the matter.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to how integrity information was handled in Davies's appointment, the Commission offers mitigating context: the appointment predated its strengthened probity checks and Davies has admitted he did not disclose the matter. The review it announces looks for further lessons without conceding a failure, so a mixed or conditional label loses.
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- Tony Davies
More from this case
Read the full caseKevin 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
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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- Public Service Commission says Davies's appointment predated stronger checks and opens a review
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The Dispute Index. "Public Service Commission says Davies's appointment predated stronger checks and opens a review". First published: 2026-10-28. Last updated: 2026-10-28. https://disputeindex.com/events/7124-a-commission-spokesman-says-davies-was-appointed-in