The Inspector-General of Defence is an independent statutory officer appointed by the Governor-General on a recommendation from the House of Representatives. The Inspector-General is appointed for a term of up to five years and may be reappointed once for a further term of up to three years.
Inspector-General The Hon Timothy Brewer ONZM, ED
The Hon Timothy Brewer ONZM, ED graduated LLB (Hons) (First Class) from Victoria University of Wellington in 1979.
Mr Brewer practised as a litigation lawyer, including as a Crown Solicitor. He was appointed a Commissioner of the Law Commission in 1997. He served part-time in that role until 2001 and was responsible for the Commission’s criminal procedure reference.
In 2010, Mr Brewer was appointed a Judge of the High Court, an office he held until his statutory retirement date of 15 November 2025.
Mr Brewer has a long-held interest in military law. He was appointed a member of the Courts Martial Panel of Advocates in 2001; Judge-Advocate from 2004 to 2009 and a Judge of the Court Martial of New Zealand in 2009. He was the List Judge responsible for the Court Martial Appeal Court.
Mr Brewer joined the Territorial Force of the New Zealand Army in 1976. He became the first Director-General of Reserves, served in Afghanistan and retired in 2009 with the rank of Brigadier.
Mr Brewer was appointed Inspector-General of Defence with effect 1 December 2025.
Deputy Inspector-General
Ms Pierce is a barrister specialising in domestic and international criminal law, international humanitarian law, public law and human rights, and national defence and security. Most recently, she was appointed as Counsel assisting the Court Martial of New Zealand, providing independent expertise on national security and fair trial issues. Prior to this, she served as Chief Adviser to the Government Inquiry into Operation Burnham, focusing on international law, detention, and military oversight frameworks. As Principal Legal Adviser, she led the establishment of the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care.
Ms Pierce has served in the Crown Law Office Criminal Team, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Legal Division, and as the Legal Adviser to the Chair of the Independent Police Conduct Authority. She has published on transitional justice, torture law, and human rights and has delivered lectures and seminars in New Zealand and overseas. Ms Pierce is an alumna of the University of Otago (Law and Arts (European Studies)), an inaugural Borrin Foundation Women Leaders in Law Fellow, and holds a Masters in International Human Rights Law (Distinction) from the University of Oxford.
Ms Pierce was appointed Deputy Inspector-General of Defence with effect 10 November 2025.
Office of the Inspector-General
The Inspector-General and Deputy are supported by a small staff of investigators, and an Executive Manager. The office is based in Wellington.