Vice Chief of Defence Force (New Zealand)
{{Short description|Senior appointment in the New Zealand Defence Force}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox Political post
|post = Vice Chief of Defence Force
|body =
|insignia =
|insigniasize =
|insigniacaption =
|imagesize =
|image = Mat Williams (cropped).jpg
|alt= =
|incumbent = Rear Admiral Mat Williams
|incumbentsince = 27 August 2024
|style =
|member_of = New Zealand Defence Force
|reports_to = Chief of Defence Force
|termlength =
|formation = February 2004
|inaugural = Air Vice Marshal
David Bamfield
}}
The Vice Chief of Defence Force (VCDF) is a senior appointment in the New Zealand Defence Force. The position was established in February 2004 in response to the Review of Accountabilities and Structural Arrangements between the Ministry of Defence and the New Zealand Defence Force undertaken by Don Hunn (known as the "Hunn Review") and reported on in September 2002. Hunn recommended greater integration between top-level military and civil personnel responsible for the command and governance of the New Zealand Defence Force, and suggested the position of VCDF be created to assist the Chief of Defence Force as a chief staff officer.{{cite web|first=D.K.|last=Hunn|authorlink=Don Hunn|title=Review of Accountabilities and Structural Arrangements between the Ministry of Defence and the New Zealand Defence Force|url=https://www.defence.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/hunn-review.pdf|date=30 September 2002|publisher=New Zealand Government|accessdate=15 January 2018}} The current VCDF, since 27 August 2024, is Rear Admiral Mat Williams.
Appointees
{{legend2|#d0e5f5|This along with the * (asterisk) indicates that the individual was subsequently appointed Chief of Defence Force.}}
The following list chronologically records those who have held the post of VCDF, with rank and honours as at the completion of the individual's term.