Ed Craw named New Zealand Army Training Group commander at Waiouru

Colonel Ed Craw has taken over as the New Zealand Army training commander at Waiouru Military Camp after more than 25 years of service. Photo / NZDF

Colonel Ed Craw has been appointed as Army Training Group commander at Waiouru Military Camp.

The Army Training Group (ATG) is responsible for training most of the soldiers and commanders from the New Zealand Army and partner nations in land-based operations.

“I am acutely aware of the shifting strategic environment and the rapid advances in modern warfare,” Craw said.

“Ensuring our soldiers, from new recruits through to our warrant officers and officers, are safely prepared for these emerging challenges will be my central focus.”

Craw has more than 25 years of experience and has served in various command, technical, staff and training appointments throughout his career.

He has been deployed to Afghanistan, East Timor, Sudan and South Sudan.

During the Covid-19 pandemic he worked for almost a year as a task group commander for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) deployment to the managed isolation and quarantine facilities in the North Island.

In 2022, he served as the deputy commander of the NZDF contingent to the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“I’ve been privileged to have had opportunities to serve New Zealand and command our soldiers in a broad range of operational environments, each with unique challenges that will give real purpose to my new role in the Army’s training system.”

He said these increased his awareness of the New Zealand Army’s future challenges and the bigger strategic picture.

Craw is originally from the Banks Peninsula community of Okains Bay.

He joined the Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps in 1999 after graduating from the New Zealand Commissioning Course at Waiouru Military Camp.

“As a 20‑year‑old I did not fully understand what I was stepping into when I joined the Army and moved to Waiouru.

“But reflecting on it, I can see the community, lessons and resilience forged in those early years have served me well throughout my career.”

He takes over as ATG Commander from Colonel Lisa Kelliher, who is now the NZDF’s defence adviser to Australia.

“Lisa’s leadership of the Army Training Group and Waiouru Military Training Area has certainly left us well‑prepared and in a strong position for the future.”