Jerry Mateparae, the Army major general of New Zealand, will be the first Maori to serve as the country's defense chief.

Mateparae, 51, is from the Tuwharetoa and Kahungunu tribes. He has served in the military for 34 years and is the highest ranked Maori in the armed forces.

Mateparae will start his job May 1.

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Maori to head defence forces for first time (AP 3/7)
Mateparae takes top defence post (Stuff 3/7)