Martyn Dunne
Encyclopedia
Martyn John Dunne CNZM (2000), (born 1950), soldier and senior public servant, is New Zealand High Commissioner to Australia. He was Comptroller of Customs and Chief Executive of the New Zealand Customs Service
(2004–2011) and was a career soldier in the New Zealand Army from 1970 ending his military career in 2004 as Commander Joint Forces New Zealand with the rank of Major General. In September 1999, Dunne led the New Zealand Force East Timor during New Zealand's largest deployment since World War II, and as the Senior National Officer and, with the rank of Brigadier, commanded the Dili Command, an operational formation in the International Force in East Timor, INTERFET
until 2000.
.
in 1971. He was transferred to the Regular Force in October 1977 at the rank of Lieutenant, in the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
. He was posted to 1 Ranger Squadron, New Zealand Special Air Service, Papakura, and employed as a Troop Commander. As Captain, he was deployed overseas with the New Zealand Army Truce Monitoring Contingent in South Rhodesia. In July 1989, Dunne was appointed Commandant of the Officer Cadet School in Waiouru and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. In September 1999 he was deployed with the New Zealand Force East Timor as the Senior National Officer. He was promoted to Brigadier in October 1999 and commanded Dili Command, an operational formation in the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET). In that capacity in East Timor, Dunne commanded New Zealand Forces and international troops during New Zealand's largest deployment since World War II. He was promoted to the rank of Major-General on 2 April 2001 prior to assuming his appointment as Commander Joint Forces New Zealand (COMJFNZ) which post he held until 2004.
Dunne is a graduate from the Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies
and from the Australian Command and Staff College. He has a Master of Arts Degree in Strategic Studies from La Trobe University
, Melbourne. He was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2000 following his service in East Timor.
located in Canberra
.
New Zealand Customs Service
The Customs Service is a state sector organisation of New Zealand whose role is to provide border control and protect the community from potential risks arising from international trade and travel, as well as collecting duties and taxes on imports to the country. New Zealand's Minister of Customs...
(2004–2011) and was a career soldier in the New Zealand Army from 1970 ending his military career in 2004 as Commander Joint Forces New Zealand with the rank of Major General. In September 1999, Dunne led the New Zealand Force East Timor during New Zealand's largest deployment since World War II, and as the Senior National Officer and, with the rank of Brigadier, commanded the Dili Command, an operational formation in the International Force in East Timor, INTERFET
INTERFET
The International Force for East Timor was a multinational peacekeeping taskforce, mandated by the United Nations to address the humanitarian and security crisis which took place in East Timor from 1999–2000 until the arrival of United Nations peacekeepers...
until 2000.
Early life
Dunne was born on 16 January 1950 in Auckland, New Zealand. He completed his secondary education at St Peter's College, AucklandSt Peter's College, Auckland
St Peter's College is a Catholic college for year 7 to 13 boys . The school, located in Auckland, is one of the largest Catholic schools in New Zealand and is an integrated school under an integration agreement entered into by the Catholic Bishop of Auckland and the Government of New Zealand in...
.
Army career
Dunne began his military service with the Territorial Force of the New Zealand ArmyNew Zealand Army
The New Zealand Army , is the land component of the New Zealand Defence Force and comprises around 4,500 Regular Force personnel, 2,000 Territorial Force personnel and 500 civilians. Formerly the New Zealand Military Forces, the current name was adopted around 1946...
in 1971. He was transferred to the Regular Force in October 1977 at the rank of Lieutenant, in the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
The Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment is the main combat unit in the regular New Zealand Army. It was formed 9 January 1947 as the New Zealand Regiment with a single infantry battalion as part of the newly created infantry corps....
. He was posted to 1 Ranger Squadron, New Zealand Special Air Service, Papakura, and employed as a Troop Commander. As Captain, he was deployed overseas with the New Zealand Army Truce Monitoring Contingent in South Rhodesia. In July 1989, Dunne was appointed Commandant of the Officer Cadet School in Waiouru and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. In September 1999 he was deployed with the New Zealand Force East Timor as the Senior National Officer. He was promoted to Brigadier in October 1999 and commanded Dili Command, an operational formation in the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET). In that capacity in East Timor, Dunne commanded New Zealand Forces and international troops during New Zealand's largest deployment since World War II. He was promoted to the rank of Major-General on 2 April 2001 prior to assuming his appointment as Commander Joint Forces New Zealand (COMJFNZ) which post he held until 2004.
Dunne is a graduate from the Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies
Australian Defence College
The Australian Defence College comprises three tri-service educational organisations operated by the Australian Defence Force in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory:* the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies ,...
and from the Australian Command and Staff College. He has a Master of Arts Degree in Strategic Studies from La Trobe University
La Trobe University
La Trobe University is a multi-campus university in Victoria, Australia. It was established in 1964 by an Act of Parliament to become the third oldest university in the state of Victoria. The main campus of La Trobe is located in the Melbourne suburb of Bundoora; two other major campuses are...
, Melbourne. He was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2000 following his service in East Timor.
Public Service
Martyn Dunne was Comptroller and Chief Executive of the New Zealand Customs Service from September 2004 until March 2011. During his time with the New Zealand Customs Service, he has also served on a number of state sector leadership and advisory boards, including the Leadership Development Centre. In June 2008, Martyn Dunne was elected Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), an intergovernmental organisation headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. He continued this role throughout his service with New Zealand Customs.Diplomat
In March 2011, Martyn Dunne assumed the position of New Zealand High Commissioner to AustraliaHigh Commissioner (Commonwealth)
In the Commonwealth of Nations, a High Commissioner is the senior diplomat in charge of the diplomatic mission of one Commonwealth government to another.-History:...
located in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
.