Navy staff performed a rousing haka to farewell their chief David Proctor and welcome in the new acting boss, Andrew Brown.
At a Relinquishment of Command ceremony at the Naval Base on Devonport’s Te Taua Moana Marae, last week, Rear Admiral (RADM) David Proctor handed over his command of the Navy to Commodore Andrew Brown, now Acting Chief of Navy.
The formality included the exchange of the ‘Command pen’ filled with green ink, a colour he has the privilege to use. Proctor’s handover marks the conclusion of his 37-year Navy career, as he takes up a civilian appointment in Australia.
![Chief of Navy Rear Admiral David Proctor's Relinquish of Command at Te Taua Moana Marae. Photo / New Zealand Defence Force](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/J7RUM4UT6RFE5CNE25ZZFQII5A.jpg?auth=ee082ebfcfcb281f8d58bd684ea34b72f76d0687fffe68c33f5dec763b95c870&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
Proctor was appointed Chief of Navy on 29 November 29, 2018. As with the other service chiefs, his unusually long appointment was a result of maintaining continuity during and after the Covid pandemic.