Sir John Mace: key obituary facts
Is Sir John Mace dead? Yes. Sir John Mace died on September 22, 2026, at age 94.
Cause of death: Sir John Mace's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Sir John Mace known for?
He was a New Zealand military leader (1932–2026).
More about Sir John Mace
Born: 29 June 1932.
Place of birth: Ashburton.
Place of death: Auckland.
Gender: male.
Occupation: military personnel.
Nationality: New Zealand.
Education: Royal Military College, Nelson College, Ashburton High School.
Awards: Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Companion of the Order of the Bath.
Also known as: Sir John Mace, John Airth Mace, John Airth Nelson Mace, Sir John Airth Mace.
Sir John Mace, the New Zealand army officer who served as Chief of the General Staff from 1984 to 1987 and as Chief of Defence Staff from 1987 until his retirement in 1991, died on September 22, 2026, aged 94.
Known also as John Airth Mace, he was born in Ashburton on June 29, 1932. He was educated at Ashburton High School and Nelson College before entering the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in Canberra as an officer cadet sponsored by the New Zealand government.
Mace later rose to become a senior commander of the New Zealand Army and was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire and a Companion of the Order of the Bath.