Deputy Chief of Navy, Commodore Karl Woodhead MNZM
The Deputy Chief of Navy (DCN) is responsible for the operation of the Naval Support Command, including Devonport Naval Base in Auckland and Naval Staff in Wellington.
Commodore Karl Woodhead MNZM became Deputy Chief of Navy in March 2025. CDRE Woodhead joined Te Taua Moana / Royal New Zealand Navy in 1990 as a Seaman Officer in the Midshipman University Scheme, graduating with a Bachelor of Planning degree and later qualifying as a Warfare Officer of the Watch.
Time at sea
CDRE Woodhead has served in frigates Southland, Te Mana, Waikato and Wellington, the survey ship Monowai, the tanker Endeavour, the diving support ship Manawanui, in addition to a Singapore Navy amphibious vessel, a Swedish Navy minelayer, an Australian Navy training ship, and in various RNZN patrol craft for short periods as Commanding Officer.
Lifelong learning and achievement
CDRE Woodhead’s achievements include a deployment to Afghanistan as both Engineer Officer and NZAID Programme Manager, leading a joint team of engineering and EOD personnel, establishing an aid programme, and developing a strategy which consolidated multi-national efforts. He was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2005 in recognition of his service in Afghanistan.
He has been the Commanding Officer of the NZ Defence Support Unit (South East Asia), the Assistant Chief of Navy (Strategy and Engagement), and Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of Combined Task Force 151 in Bahrain.
In his academic achievements, CDRE Woodhead is a certified Project Management Professional, and holds an MBA (Distinction) in addition to his Bachelor of Planning degree, and a Post Graduate Diploma in International Security and Strategy (Distinction) from King’s College London.
His most recent post was Chief Defence Strategy Management.