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Preparing soldiers for challenging times the top priority for new Army training commander  

More than 25 years after he stepped off the training ground at Waiouru Military Camp to begin his career, Colonel Ed Craw is now himself leading the New Zealand Army’s forge of soldiers.

24 February, 2026

The Army Training Group (ATG) is responsible for overseeing most of the NZ Army’s individual training, equipping soldiers and officers from New Zealand and partner nations with the knowledge and skills required to win land-based operations.

Originally from the Banks Peninsula community of Okains Bay, Colonel Craw has served with the NZ Army, Ngāti Tūmatauenga, for more than 25 years.

He graduated from the New Zealand Commissioning Course in 1999 and first joined the Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps.

“As a 20‑year‑old I did not fully understand what I was stepping into when I joined the Army and moved to Waiouru. But reflecting on it, I can see the community, lessons and resilience forged in those early years have served me well throughout my career.”

Two men stand in a heightened structure shaded by the roof above. One of the men, wearing an army uniform and a green beret, looks through binoculars out into the airfield beyond whilst another man, his back to the camera wears a blue shirt and dress pant A man stands amongst the grass high above the hills and road behind him. He wears an army jacket along with army uniform and stands tall with his arms folded looking directly at the camera. Three men stand in discussion, two wear military uniform with hats, they look at the taller gentleman - Prince William who is dressed in a suit with medals on his left chest.

His most recent postings have been in the culture and strategy branches of Army General Staff in Wellington, which he said increased his awareness of the bigger strategic picture and the Army’s future challenges.

But he’s excited to get stuck into camp life again and this will be his eighth year at Waiouru during his career.

“I am acutely aware of the shifting strategic environment and the rapid advances in modern warfare. Ensuring our soldiers, from new recruits through to our warrant officers and officers, are safely prepared for these emerging challenges will be my central focus.”

Colonel Craw has held a wide range of command, technical, staff and training appointments across 1st (New Zealand) Brigade, Army Training Group in Waiouru, Army General Staff, and both Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and Joint Forces New Zealand.

He has deployed to Afghanistan, East Timor, Sudan and South Sudan. During the Covid-19 response, he spent nearly a year as task group commander over the NZDF deployment to the Managed Isolation and Quarantine facilities in the North Island.

He was more recently the deputy commander of the NZDF contingent to the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Two Army officers, a male and female greet one another whilst wearing ceremonial uniforms. The female wears medals on her left chest and smiles at her male counterpart. People in uniform gather behind them near a red marquee.

Colonel Craw has taken over as Commander ATG from Colonel Lisa Kelliher, who has posted to Canberra as the NZDF’s new Defence Adviser

“I’ve been privileged to have had opportunities to serve New Zealand and command our soldiers in a broad range of operational environments, each with unique challenges that will give real purpose to my new role in the Army’s training system,” he said.

Colonel Craw also paid tribute to outgoing ATG Commander, Colonel Lisa Kelliher, who is now the Defence Adviser to Australia.

“It’s humbling to have assumed command from Colonel Kelliher, who happened to be a platoon commander of my own basic training here in Waiouru and later my senior national officer in South Sudan.

“Lisa’s leadership of the Army Training Group and Waiouru Military Training Area has certainly left us well‑prepared and in a strong position for the future.”