Chief of Army (CA) is the effective commander of the New Zealand Army, responsible to the Chief of Defence Force (CDF) for raising, training and sustaining those forces necessary to meet agreed government outputs. The CA acts as principal advisor to the CDF on Army matters, though for operations the Army's combat units fall under the command of the Land Component Commander, Joint Forces New Zealand. The rank associated with the position is major general, and CAs are generally appointed on a three-year term.

Major General Charles William Melvill, was a soldier who served with the British Army for several years before joining the New Zealand Military Forces. He participated in the First World War with the New Zealand Division and commanded infantry brigades on the Western Front. When he died, he was Commandant of the New Zealand Military Forces.