Auditor-General: Defence Force culture-change programme stalled

The Auditor-General's third review of Operation Respect — the NZ Defence Force programme tackling sexual assault and harmful behaviour — finds progress has stalled, repeating 2022 concerns. A 2025 survey of 5,000 personnel found 17 percent reported harmful behaviour. NZDF is setting up a new complaints unit and will no longer require personnel to report sexual harm to commanding officers.