Review of NZDF Chaplaincy Orders, Policy and Culture, and a missing investigation
Rev. Hamish Kirk made this Official Information request to New Zealand Defence Force
Currently waiting for a response from New Zealand Defence Force, they must respond promptly and normally no later than (details and exceptions).
From: Rev. Hamish Kirk
Dear New Zealand Defence Force,
Request One- Background
1. Terms of Reference for a Review into Orders, Policy and Culture of the NZDF Chaplaincy dated 3 Oct 2025 by COS HQNZDF. COS Writes,
a. Serial 2. This review has been directed by the Chief of Defence Force (CDF) in light of a complaint relating to NZDF Chaplaincy, and upon receiving the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) investigation into the complaint. The JAG’s investigation report highlighted areas of concern relating to the applicable orders, policy and culture of NZDF Chaplaincy.
b. Serial 4 reads, You are to review and report to me (COS HQNZDF sic) by 10 Oct 25.
Request One
1. Can I please have a copy of the Review into Orders, Policy and Culture of the NZDF Chaplaincy.
Request Two- Background
1. On 17 February 2025, I amended my Formal Complaint regarding NZDF Chaplaincy Leadership raising a concern over a missing investigation regarding the actions of Chaplaincy leadership.
2. On 4 March 2025 the Chief of Defence Force wrote a Letter of Apology to me accepting the essence of the Judge Advocate General’s findings and making several determinations. The determination concerning the 17 February 2025 Amendment to my Formal Complaint is as follows: In the Letter of Apology, CDF writes (in past tense), "I have directed that this be treated as a request under the official Information Act 1982 and Ministerial Services will be in touch in due course with a response."
3. OIA 2025-550 from NZDF, There is no documented Directive from the Chief of Defence Force to treat the 17 February 2025 letter as a request under the OIA.
Request Two
1. Can I please have any information you hold that might help me understand how CDF, having already made the directive concerning the 17 Feb 25 Amendment to my Formal Complaint at the time of writing his Letter of Apology, appears to have not made any such directive.
2. Are there any plans for CDF to forward my 17 February 2025 Amendment to my Formal complaint to Ministerial Services as intimated in his Letter of Apology?
Yours faithfully,
Rev. Hamish Kirk
PCANZ
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