Head of the Armed Forces (New Zealand)

For the professional military head of the New Zealand Defence Force, see Chief of Defence Force (New Zealand).
Head of the Armed Forces
Coat of Arms of New Zealand
Incumbent
Charles III
King of New Zealand
New Zealand Defence Forces
StyleHis Majesty

The Head of the Armed Forces is a position held ex officio by the monarch of New Zealand, Charles III.[1] In this role the monarch promotes and commemorates the history and service of New Zealand Defence Force.[2][3] The monarch also serves as the locus of fealty in the New Zealand Defence Force's oath of allegiance.[4]

While Elizabeth II was the Head of the Armed Forces, she assumed the role of colonel-in-chief for several New Zealand military units.[3]

The King's representative in New Zealand, the governor-general, holds the title of Commander-in-Chief and is constitutionally the supreme authority in defence matters in New Zealand.

  1. ^ @nzdefenceforce (14 September 2022). "With the accession of His Majesty King Charles III, our Royal New Zealand Navy fleet units receive a designation change" – via Instagram.
  2. ^ "Address to His Majesty King Charles III—Condolences on Death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Congratulations on Accession to Throne". www.parliament.nz. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  3. ^ a b "New Zealand". www.royal.uk. The Royal Household. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Defence Regulations 1990 (SR 1990/78) (as at 13 September 2014) 3 Oath of allegiance – New Zealand Legislation". www.legislation.govt.nz.