New Zealand Defence Force Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

New Zealand Defence Force has 10 executives leading key functions including technology, staff coordination, financial management, and legal services.

Committed to national security and international peacekeeping, New Zealand Defence Force maintains operational readiness across the Navy, Army, and Air Force to protect sovereign interests and support global stability.

Leadership Roles at New Zealand Defence Force

  • Chief Financial Officer - Bridget Marks
  • Accounts Payable Administrator & Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Finance Office - Teri King
  • Administrator (Chief Financial Officer Portfolio) - Mata Parakoti
  • Chief of Staff To Chief Financial Officer - John Dennehy
  • Payments Administrator & Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Finance Office - Sharyne King
  • Payments Administrator & Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Finance Office - Gina Oliver
  • Chief Technology Officer - Mark Baddeley
  • Chief of Staff - Pat Williams
  • Chief of Staff, Headquarters NZ Defence Force - Grant Motley
  • Defence Legal Services Chief of Staff - Prema McIntosh
  • Bridget Marks - Chief Financial Officer

    Bridget Marks, the Chief Financial Officer at New Zealand Defence Force, manages the fiscal health and budgetary allocation for the entire organization. Overseeing the financial planning for the Royal New Zealand Navy, New Zealand Army, and Royal New Zealand Air Force, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that national defense funding supports critical operational requirements. This leadership role involves rigorous auditing and resource management to maintain transparency in government spending. By optimizing capital expenditure, Marks drives the financial sustainability of large-scale peacekeeping missions and equipment procurement programs. The Chief Financial Officer collaborates with the Board to align fiscal strategies with long-term national security goals. Bridget Marks executes complex financial reporting, providing the necessary oversight to ensure that every dollar contributes to the operational readiness of the armed forces. Through disciplined fiscal stewardship, the Chief Financial Officer secures the resources required for maintaining a robust defense posture across all operational regions.

    Teri King - Accounts Payable Administrator & Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Finance Office

    Teri King, the Accounts Payable Administrator & Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Finance Office at New Zealand Defence Force, manages the transactional integrity of the corporate finance division. Overseeing the processing of vendor payments and procurement invoices, the Accounts Payable Administrator & Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Finance Office ensures that all financial obligations remain current. This leadership role involves maintaining strict compliance with government accounting standards to support the operational needs of the military branches. By streamlining the accounts payable workflow, King drives efficiency in the financial operations of the organization. The Accounts Payable Administrator & Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Finance Office coordinates with internal departments to verify expenditures related to national defense equipment and services. Teri King executes precise financial reconciliations, ensuring that the Corporate Finance Office maintains accurate records for all budgetary activities. Through this focus on transactional accuracy, the administrator supports the broader financial stability of the entire defense force.

    Mata Parakoti - Administrator (Chief Financial Officer Portfolio)

    Mata Parakoti, the Administrator (Chief Financial Officer Portfolio) at New Zealand Defence Force, manages the administrative support functions within the financial division. Overseeing the documentation and reporting processes for the Chief Financial Officer, the Administrator (Chief Financial Officer Portfolio) ensures that financial data remains organized and accessible for strategic review. This leadership role involves coordinating the flow of budgetary information between departments to support informed decision-making. By maintaining rigorous administrative standards, Parakoti drives the efficiency of the financial planning cycle. The Administrator (Chief Financial Officer Portfolio) assists in the preparation of fiscal reports that detail the resource allocation for the Royal New Zealand Navy, New Zealand Army, and Royal New Zealand Air Force. Mata Parakoti executes the tracking of financial performance metrics, ensuring that the organization meets its budgetary targets. Through this dedicated administrative support, the role facilitates the overall financial health and operational readiness of the defense force.

    John Dennehy - Chief of Staff To Chief Financial Officer

    John Dennehy, the Chief of Staff To Chief Financial Officer at New Zealand Defence Force, manages the strategic priorities and daily operations of the financial leadership office. Overseeing the communication between the Chief Financial Officer and other executive departments, the Chief of Staff To Chief Financial Officer ensures that financial strategies receive proper implementation across the organization. This leadership role involves prioritizing the agenda of the finance office to address urgent budgetary requirements for the military branches. By facilitating cross-departmental collaboration, Dennehy drives the alignment of financial goals with national defense objectives. The Chief of Staff To Chief Financial Officer coordinates the preparation of high-level briefings for the Board, ensuring that financial data supports critical decision-making. John Dennehy executes the management of special projects within the finance portfolio, providing the necessary oversight to maintain fiscal discipline. Through this role, the Chief of Staff To Chief Financial Officer supports the overall financial integrity of the defense force.

    Sharyne King - Payments Administrator & Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Finance Office

    Sharyne King, the Payments Administrator & Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Finance Office at New Zealand Defence Force, manages the disbursement of funds for critical defense operations. Overseeing the payment cycles for vendors and service providers, the Payments Administrator & Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Finance Office ensures that all financial transactions adhere to government regulations. This leadership role involves monitoring cash flow to support the ongoing requirements of the Royal New Zealand Navy, New Zealand Army, and Royal New Zealand Air Force. By optimizing the payment process, King drives the reliability of the supply chain for military equipment and services. The Payments Administrator & Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Finance Office collaborates with the finance team to reconcile accounts and maintain budgetary compliance. Sharyne King executes the verification of financial records, ensuring that the Corporate Finance Office operates with transparency and precision. Through this focus on payment management, the administrator supports the financial readiness of the entire organization.

    Gina Oliver - Payments Administrator & Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Finance Office

    Gina Oliver, the Payments Administrator & Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Finance Office at New Zealand Defence Force, manages the financial settlement processes for the organization. Overseeing the accuracy of outgoing payments, the Payments Administrator & Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Finance Office ensures that the financial obligations of the military branches remain fulfilled. This leadership role involves managing the interface between the Corporate Finance Office and external contractors to maintain seamless service delivery. By implementing robust payment verification protocols, Oliver drives the security of financial transactions. The Payments Administrator & Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Finance Office coordinates with the broader finance team to ensure that all expenditures align with the approved defense budget. Gina Oliver executes the reconciliation of payment records, providing the necessary data for financial audits. Through this focus on administrative excellence, the Payments Administrator & Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Finance Office supports the overall fiscal health and operational capacity of the defense force.

    Mark Baddeley - Chief Technology Officer

    Mark Baddeley, the Chief Technology Officer at New Zealand Defence Force, directs the modernization of digital infrastructure across all military branches. Overseeing the integration of advanced communication systems, the Chief Technology Officer ensures secure data transmission for national defense operations. This leadership role involves managing complex cybersecurity frameworks to protect sensitive government assets from emerging digital threats. By implementing scalable cloud solutions, Baddeley optimizes the technological capabilities of the Royal New Zealand Navy, New Zealand Army, and Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Chief Technology Officer collaborates with international partners to maintain interoperability in global peacekeeping missions. Through rigorous oversight of technical procurement, Mark Baddeley drives the digital transformation necessary for maintaining a competitive edge in modern warfare environments. This strategic focus on innovation supports the overall mission of the organization by providing reliable, high-speed connectivity for personnel operating in diverse geographic theaters.
    Mark Baddeley

    Pat Williams - Chief of Staff

    Pat Williams, the Chief of Staff at New Zealand Defence Force, manages the daily administrative operations and strategic alignment of the armed forces. Coordinating between the various military branches, the Chief of Staff ensures that organizational objectives remain consistent with national security mandates. This leadership role involves streamlining internal processes to improve efficiency during international peacekeeping deployments. By facilitating communication between senior command and operational units, Williams maintains a cohesive command structure. The Chief of Staff oversees the implementation of policy directives that govern the Royal New Zealand Navy, New Zealand Army, and Royal New Zealand Air Force. Pat Williams drives the execution of long-term planning initiatives, ensuring that resources align with the evolving requirements of the defense sector. Through meticulous management of organizational workflows, the Chief of Staff supports the readiness of personnel across all regional and global operational theaters.

    Grant Motley - Chief of Staff, Headquarters NZ Defence Force

    Grant Motley, the Chief of Staff, Headquarters NZ Defence Force at New Zealand Defence Force, directs the administrative functions at the central command level. Overseeing the coordination of strategic directives, the Chief of Staff, Headquarters NZ Defence Force ensures that the Royal New Zealand Navy, New Zealand Army, and Royal New Zealand Air Force operate in unison. This leadership role involves managing the flow of information to senior leadership to facilitate rapid decision-making during national security crises. By optimizing the operational structure at headquarters, Motley drives the efficiency of command-level communications. The Chief of Staff, Headquarters NZ Defence Force collaborates with international defense partners to synchronize peacekeeping efforts across various global regions. Grant Motley executes the implementation of organizational policies that govern the daily activities of the armed forces. Through this central oversight, the Chief of Staff, Headquarters NZ Defence Force maintains the operational readiness required to protect national interests and support international stability.
    Prema McIntosh, the Defence Legal Services Chief of Staff at New Zealand Defence Force, directs the administrative and operational functions of the legal department. Overseeing the coordination of legal counsel for the Royal New Zealand Navy, New Zealand Army, and Royal New Zealand Air Force, the Defence Legal Services Chief of Staff ensures that all military activities comply with international and domestic law. This leadership role involves managing the legal review process for peacekeeping missions and defense contracts. By streamlining the workflow of the legal team, McIntosh drives the efficiency of the organization's regulatory compliance efforts. The Defence Legal Services Chief of Staff collaborates with senior command to address complex legal challenges arising from international operations. Prema McIntosh executes the implementation of legal policies that protect the interests of the defense force. Through this oversight, the Defence Legal Services Chief of Staff maintains the legal integrity required for all national and global military engagements.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding New Zealand Defence Force Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads New Zealand Defence Force?
    New Zealand Defence Force is led by Bridget Marks (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Teri King (Accounts Payable Administrator & Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Finance Office) and Mata Parakoti (Administrator (Chief Financial Officer Portfolio)).
    Who is part of New Zealand Defence Force’s executive team?
    The executive team of New Zealand Defence Force includes leaders such as Bridget Marks (Chief Financial Officer), Teri King (Accounts Payable Administrator & Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Finance Office), Mata Parakoti (Administrator (Chief Financial Officer Portfolio)) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does New Zealand Defence Force have?
    New Zealand Defence Force has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in New Zealand Defence Force’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of New Zealand Defence Force includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Accounts Payable Administrator & Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Finance Office, Administrator (Chief Financial Officer Portfolio), Chief of Staff To Chief Financial Officer, Payments Administrator & Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Finance Office.