Vice Chief of Defence Force, Acting Major General Matt Weston
The Vice Chief of Defence Force (VCDF) is a senior appointment in the NZDF, responsible for integration between the senior military and civil personnel with responsibilities for command and governance.
MAJGEN Weston enlisted into the New Zealand Army in January 1993. He was Commanding Officer of 16th Field Regiment in 2012 – 2013 and then went on to command 1 (NZ) Brigade in 2018 - 2020.
MAJGEN Weston has deployed with the 6th New Zealand Battalion Group, East Timor, from May to November 2002 as the S3, and later as J5 HQ ISAF and Senior National Officer, Operation KEA, Afghanistan.
MAJGEN Weston was promoted to Brigadier and posted into the role of Deputy Chief of Army in June 2020, before posting as Chief People Officer in December 2021. In January 2023, he was posted into the role of the Land Component Commander. In October 2024 he assumed the role of Assistant Chief Capability.
In November 2026 on promotion to Acting Major General, MAJGEN Weston was appointed as Vice Chief of Defence Force in an interim capacity.
He has completed a Bachelor of Science, and a Master’s in Public Management and is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff College, and the United Kingdom's Higher Command and Staff Course.