Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/35041-hon-chris-penk-and-nzdf-chaplaincy-review on July 24, 2026 02:16

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Hon Chris Penk and NZDF Chaplaincy Review

Rev. Hamish Kirk made this Official Information request to New Zealand Defence Force

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From: Rev. Hamish Kirk

Dear New Zealand Defence Force,

The Hon Chris Penk wrote to me on 28 April 26, and I quote- I have been advised that a further review was conducted and relevant actions taken as a result. I am further advised that the NZDF Chaplaincy has changed its leadership and practices since your case highlighted the issues of note.

Concerning NZDF Chaplaincy, and the letter from the Hon Chris Penk, the information I request is;
1) How long did the review take?
2) Apart from the Principal Defence Chaplain (PDC), how many other chaplains had input into the review and what was their rank?
3) Did any members of ChDAC have input into the review?
4) What relevant actions were taken as a result of the review?
5) What changes are there in Chaplaincy Leadership since the review?
6) What practices have changed or new practices been instigated since the review?
5) I request a copy of any changes to rules, procedures, DFOs, Chaplain regulations, handbooks that have occurred as a result of relevant actions taken, as well as the change in leadership and practices intimated to the Hon Chris Penk by the NZDF.

Yours faithfully,

Rev. Hamish Kirk

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From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Defence Force

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Good afternoon Hamish

 

Your request below has been received and a decision on your request will
be provided as soon as possible and no later than 6 August 2026.

 

Responses to requests for information that are considered to be in the
wider public interest will be published on the New Zealand Defence Force
website ([1]www.nzdf.mil.nz).

 

Regards

 

Corporate and Ministerial Services
Office of the Chief of Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force | Te Ope Kātua o Aotearoa

[2]www.nzdf.mil.nz

 

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From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Defence Force

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Attachment OIA 2026 5869 Signed response.pdf
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Attachment OIA 2026 5869 Enclosure 1.pdf
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Good afternoon Hamish

 

Please see attached our response to your request.

 

Regards

 

Corporate and Ministerial Services
Office of the Chief of Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force | Te Ope Kātua o Aotearoa

[1]www.nzdf.mil.nz

 

 

From: Ministerial Services <[NZDF request email]>
Sent: Wednesday, 8 July 2026 3:05 pm
To: '[FOI #35041 email]'
<[FOI #35041 email]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Hon Chris Penk and NZDF
Chaplaincy Review [UNCLASSIFIED] - OIA-2026-5869

 

Good afternoon Hamish

 

Your request below has been received and a decision on your request will
be provided as soon as possible and no later than 6 August 2026.

 

Responses to requests for information that are considered to be in the
wider public interest will be published on the New Zealand Defence Force
website ([2]www.nzdf.mil.nz).

 

Regards

 

Corporate and Ministerial Services
Office of the Chief of Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force | Te Ope Kātua o Aotearoa

[3]www.nzdf.mil.nz

 

show quoted sections

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