A senior officer in the Royal New Zealand Navy has appeared at a court martial in Auckland, pleading not guilty to a charge of prejudicing service discipline.
The officer faced one charge of doing an act likely to prejudice service discipline, under the Armed Forces Discipline Act.
The allegation related to an incident during an overseas posting in 2023, where the officer was accused of encouraging a junior officer under their command to kiss them.
The case was being heard by the Court Martial of New Zealand at Devonport Naval Base, with a military panel sworn in to determine the outcome.
In open court, the charge was formally read and the accused entered a not guilty plea. No application was made to challenge the court’s jurisdiction or to seek an adjournment.
The trial would focus on whether the alleged conduct was likely to undermine discipline within the Navy.
The judge granted interim name suppression for up to 20 working days while an appeal was considered.
As a result, the accused cannot yet be identified.
The trial was expected to continue with the Crown opening its case and calling evidence.
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