Defence bosses get big payrise
Salaries for senior Defence Force staff skyrocketed last year, leading to accusations it has an ‘‘obscene’’ gap between the ruling elite and junior staff.
Hundreds of senior Defence Force staff received substantial pay increases this year, with those on more than $200,000 a year increasing by 57 per cent last year.
Staff on six-figure salaries increased by 10 per cent from 1452 in 2015, to 1607 in 2016, according to the NZDF’s annual report.
And total pay for the senior executive group increased by nearly a million dollars from $3.8m to $4.7m.
Meanwhile, nearly half of the Defence Force’s 11,719 staff earn less than $60,000, and new recruits are paid just $33,489.
NZ First defence spokesman Ron Mark said there was an increasing gap between those at the top and those doing the ‘‘grunt’’ work.
‘‘The pay difference between senior officers and the junior ranks is obscene,’’ he said.
‘‘(Kiwi Victoria Cross winner) Charlie Upham would be disgusted.’’
But the chief of defence lieutenant colonel Tim Keating, the highest earning military employee, on $630,000 a year, said the Defence Force was committed to paying fair wages, and retaining their best staff.
He said morale was high and attrition rates were at an all-time low.
‘‘People choose to serve in our armed forces for many reasons, however pay isn’t often cited as a reason for serving our country.’’
The senior group of 12 earning an average of nearly $400,000 includes Keating, vice chief of defence force air-vice marshall Kevin Short, chief of navy rear admiral John Martin, chief of army major general Peter Kelly, chief of air force air vice marshall Tony Davies, and commander of joint forces major general Tim Gall. Top civilian roles such as chief financial officer are also on the executive.
The Defence Force said the executive team’s pay was set by the Remuneration Authority.
The rise of staff paid in excess of $200,000, a third of whom are medical professionals, as influenced by changes to the District Health Board collective agreement increases.
Of the remaining 44 Defence Force staff earning more than $200,000, about two thirds were uniformed roles, including the leaders of military teams in places like Canberra and Washington.