Air Vice-Marshal

Air Vice-Marshal

Air vice-marshal is a two-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in...

 John H S Hamilton ONZM

New Zealand Order of Merit

The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...

 MVO

Royal Victorian Order

The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...

 is a former senior commander in the Royal New Zealand Air Force

Royal New Zealand Air Force

The Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...

, retiring in 2006. In June 2006 it was announced that Hamilton would become the Director of New Zealand's Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

Following the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, Hamilton became National Controller of the Civil Defence Emergency Response, with Civil Defence

Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (New Zealand)

The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management is New Zealand's central government agency responsible for emergency management.- External links :* The Ministry's website: http://www.civildefence.govt.nz...

as lead agency, supported by New Zealand Police, Fire Service, Defence Force and many other agencies and organisations.