Tony Parr Explained

Anthony J. Parr
Birth Date:4 August 1955
Birth Place:Wellington, New Zealand
Allegiance:New Zealand
Branch:Royal New Zealand Navy
Serviceyears:1980–2012
Rank:Rear Admiral
Commands:Chief of Navy


Awards:Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Member of the Royal Victorian Order

Rear Admiral Anthony Jonathan Parr, (born 4 August 1955) was the Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy from April 2009 to November 2012. He was succeeded by Rear Admiral Jack Steer.[1]

Early life

Parr was born in Wellington, New Zealand. He was raised in Fiji and attended New Plymouth Boys' High School as a boarder. He graduated from the University of Waikato in 1977 with a Bachelor of Social Science in politics and after completing the first year of a Bachelor of Law degree in 1979, he joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in January 1980 in the rank of sub lieutenant.

Naval career

During his naval career, Parr served aboard the ships, and . He also served as the commanding officer of, and .

Since leaving Te Mana, Parr served at HQ Joint Forces New Zealand, holding a number of senior positions in the RNZN.

In the 1986 New Zealand Royal Visit Honours, Parr was appointed a Member of the Royal Victorian Order. In the 2012 New Year Honours, he was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the State.[2]

Dates of rank

Rank Date Role
CDR Nov 1995 Commanding Officer – HMNZS Waikato
CAPT 13 March 2002 Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Personnel)
CDRE 30 November 2007 Deputy Chief of Navy
RADM 1 April 2009 Chief of Navy

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chief of Navy . New Zealand Defence Force . 21 February 2010.
  2. Web site: New Year honours list 2012. 31 December 2011 . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 8 January 2018.