The Director of Defence Legal Services, Colonel Lisa Ferris, will be promoted to Brigadier on 23 February 2018.

This is a significant promotion within the New Zealand Defence Force, with Brigadier Ferris being only the second woman since World War II to be promoted to this rank.

Brigadier Ferris was born and raised in Gisborne, New Zealand, and is of Ngati Porou (Ngati Konohi/Ngati Oneone) descent.

She holds a Master of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration from Victoria University as well as having completed United States Marine Corps Staff College in 2014.

Brigadier Ferris was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in December 2002. She joined the New Zealand Army in February 2003 as a Lieutenant in the Army Legal Service. She has held a range of positions within Defence Legal Services.