The NZDF leadership change is completed by Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Tony Davies’ appointments of Commodore Mathew Williams as Vice Chief of Defence Force and Brigadier Robert Krushka as Commander Joint Forces New Zealand.
Rear Admiral Golding joined the RNZN in 1988. Most recently he was the NZDF’s Maritime Component Commander, a role he has held since 2021. He was Director Maritime Domain from 2020-2021 and Deputy Chief of Navy (Strategy and Engagement) in 2019. Commodore Golding was the Commander, Deployable Joint Inter-Agency Task Force, from 2016-2019. Between 2013 and 2016 he was the Project Manager, Littoral Operations Capability (ship replacement project) and from 2012-2013 he was Inspector General (Maritime). His sea command was the multi-role offshore support vessel HMNZS Manawanui.
Rear Admiral Golding holds a Master of Arts in International Security and Strategy (Distinction), King’s College London, a Master of Strategic Studies (Victoria University of Wellington) and a Diploma in Applied Business Management (Auckland University of Technology).
Major General Rose King is the first women to command the New Zealand Army and was previously the Deputy Chief of Army. Major general King enlisted into the New Zealand Army in 1991, graduating into the Corps of Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Throughout her career Major General King has undertaken a range of regimental, staff and training appointments including postings as Chief Instructor Tactical School, S4 2nd Land Force Group (primary staff officer logistics), Officer Commanding Support Squadron Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles and Commanding Officer of 2nd Combat Service Support Battalion.
As a senior officer Major General King has held a variety of appointments within Defence including Director Reserves and Youth Development, Director of Strategic Commitments, and Chief of Staff Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand. In addition to her time with the NZDF, Major General King was seconded to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment as the Director of Operations, Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) to joint lead New Zealand’s COVID MIQ response.
Major General King’s operational service includes the UN Mission of Observers Prevlaka, and Afghanistan as the Chief Operational Planner (CJ35) within Resolute Support Headquarters. Major General King is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff College and the Centre of Defence and Strategic Studies, Australia. She is an inaugural fellow of the Halifax Peace with Women Fellowship.
Source: NZDF
