Soaring beyond limits: leadership, resilience, and service in action
The inspiring story of a Massey alumnus shaping New Zealand’s Air Force
Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb, MNZM, Chief of Air Force, exemplifies leadership, resilience, and service. A distinguished Massey University alumnus with a career spanning over three decades, AVM Webb commands the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), leading over 2,500 highly specialised professionals in service to New Zealand and beyond.
A remarkable aviation journey
AVM Webb was born in Auckland and spent a significant part of his childhood in Blenheim. Inspired by his Air Force pilot father, AVM Webb joined the RNZAF in 1990, directly out of college. “I always aspired to be a pilot and didn’t have a backup plan. Military flying training was difficult, as it is meant to be, and I was very happy that my career has predominantly been spent flying transport aircraft into fascinating places all around the world,” he says.
Just three years into his career, AVM Webb undertook a mission that would have a profound impact on him. “I was just starting out on my aviation journey. I had the training, the tools, and a lot of enthusiasm and motivation. I certainly didn’t have any experience. But I was ready.”
That New Year’s Day morning, AVM Webb and his team took off from Auckland in three aircraft, flying halfway around the world to Mogadishu, Somalia. “It was hot, dusty, and noisy – not a pleasant environment. We lived in tents alongside thousands of other troops on the airfield, ” he recalls. This experience taught him invaluable lessons about resilience, “Adversity is real, relationships are essential, and adapting to challenging environments is a constant necessity.”
From that mission onward, AVM Webb’s career took him to some of the most demanding locations around the globe. He completed operational tours on the Andover and C-130 Hercules aircraft, including an exchange with the Royal Australian Air Force. His experience spans missions in Antarctica, East Timor, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He was Detachment Commander for the RNZAF response to the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. His flying career concluded with tours as Commanding Officer of RNZAF Flying Training Wing and Number 40 Squadron, accumulating over 6,000 flying hours.
These formative experiences honed AVM Webb’s technical and operational skills and instilled a deep sense of responsibility in him. He shares, “As a pilot, this can mean being an aircraft captain responsible for a multi-million dollar aircraft and, more importantly, the lives of your friends on board. Making decisions, overcoming things that go wrong, adapting to uncertainty, and managing operational risks and challenges all help you grow.”
Over time, as he gained more experience, AVM Webb discovered his passion for leadership. “I was lucky enough to lead high-performing teams, such as Number 40 SQN and our Flying Training Wing, and I realised that leading teams to achieve a goal was even more satisfying than flying itself.”
His leadership journey highlighted the importance of core purpose and mission. “Operating at the squadron level provides an environment where you are constantly seeking to improve – not just your own role but also the team as a whole. It teaches you to build relationships based on trust and respect, which are vital leadership elements no matter the scale.”
These foundational experiences prepared AVM Webb for greater leadership roles within the Defence Force, where his focus on continuous improvement, team building, and mission-driven purpose became hallmarks of his distinguished career.
Leadership evolution and strategic impact
Throughout his career, AVM Webb has held a range of operational and strategic positions, including Officer Commanding 488 Wing and Senior Commander of RNZAF Base Ohakea, Deputy Chief of Air Force, Air Component Commander, Assistant Chief of Defence for Capability, and Assistant Chief of Defence for Strategic Commitments and Engagements.
Reflecting on these diverse roles, AVM Webb shares, “I have been very fortunate to fill a few different jobs in the Defence Force, and each one helps you develop a better understanding of the role and value of the New Zealand Defence Force.”
Two senior roles in particular stand out – Assistant Chief of Defence for Capability and Assistant Chief of Defence for Strategic Commitments and Engagements. In his Capability role, AVM Webb gained a comprehensive understanding of each military service’s equipment – what they have now and what they will need in the future, in addition to the complex government processes associated with major capital acquisition. Two notable outcomes for the Air Force are the P-8A Poseidon and C-130J Hercules being purchased, which AVM Webb describes as “once-in-a-lifetime decisions that will benefit New Zealanders for decades to come.”
The Strategic Commitments role provided him with deep insights into the challenges around the world, opportunities for the Defence Force to contribute positive outcomes, and the government decision-making processes to enact them.
Overcoming adversity and leading in crisis
“Life has a habit of presenting new challenges, and you can’t anticipate what’s going to happen in the world. But preparing for that volatility, the uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, is absolutely a key part of the education process,” AVM Webb explains.
That was AVM Webb’s experience in 2020. A crucial mission was placed before him, helping repatriate tens of thousands of people stranded due to global border closures. “Thousands of Kiwis were stuck around the world wanting to get home, and tens of thousands of foreigners in New Zealand also needed to return to their countries,” AVM Webb recalls. Over just a few weeks, his team successfully facilitated the movement of over 62,000 people – an achievement that he describes as “more than the Berlin Airlift in scale over that period.”
However, the mission didn’t stop there. When New Zealand faced its first border breach involving COVID-19-positive travellers, the stakes rose even higher. AVM Webb was asked to establish a nationwide managed isolation system – essentially building an entirely new structure to safeguard New Zealand’s borders. “Where do you even begin taking on that role?” he reflects. “Well, you begin with the core purpose, operating in an environment of constant improvement, making time-bound decisions without all the facts, and building relationships based on trust.”
Setting up the MIQ system was the most challenging task AVM Webb had ever faced. “We didn’t have a manual to tell us what to do. We had to build something entirely new,” he explains. “It certainly taught me that leadership is mostly about when things are going wrong, not when they’re going right.”
To recognise his outstanding contributions during the pandemic, AVM Webb was awarded the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the 2022 New Year’s Honours. “It was humbling and meant a lot to me. The award represents the efforts of thousands of extremely dedicated people, and I am very proud to have played a small part in helping keep Kiwis safe,” AVM Webb shares.
Lifelong learning
With a Master of Strategic Studies from Deakin University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Defence and Security Studies from Massey University, AVM Webb emphasises three important lessons: “Firstly, develop relationships and friendships with your course mates. Secondly, stay curious. Keep asking questions. Seek out what’s not obvious and try to determine what is not being stated as much as what is. This is where the real goodness lies.”
AVM Webb also highlights how studying has refined his ability to process and apply information effectively. “Studying taught me how to read quickly, identify a problem, consider a range of possible solutions, and make a final recommendation. These are skills I use regularly now, whether crafting my own work or evaluating the work of others.”
A leader’s wisdom: inspiring the next generation
As AVM Webb reflects on his journey, he shares, “Good leadership starts with good character.” While knowledge, skills, and experience can be gained over time, it is qualities like humility, authenticity, and positivity that enable leaders to navigate life’s challenges.”
Leadership, he explains, is truly tested when things go wrong. “Own the problems and communicate bad news early,” he advises. Equally important is the ability to build and nurture relationships. “Very little is achievable on your own. You will come to rely on your friends and colleagues during tough times, so invest in those connections.”
AVM Webb also emphasises the responsibility of leaders to prepare for the future by mentoring others. “Spend time investing in the next generation. It’s incredibly rewarding on a personal level and ensures the longevity and success of your organisation.”
At a recent Massey University graduation ceremony, he inspired graduates with these words: “Grab every opportunity that comes your way! The harder the opportunities, the better. You might not have all the answers, but that doesn’t matter. The tools you need to win and succeed have been provided right here – curiosity, a learning mindset, leadership skills, and strong relationships.”
Acknowledging the inevitability of failure, AVM Webb encourages resilience and growth. “It won’t always go well. Failure will happen, and that’s not just normal – it’s important. My job is to create an environment where failure is okay, and your job is to learn from it and adapt.”
Finally, AVM Webb reminds us of life’s unpredictability and the importance of embracing the journey. “The destination in life is rarely a straight line, and you might not even know what it is right now. But keep learning and stay open to what lies ahead.”
As he leads the Royal New Zealand Air Force and inspires the next generation of leaders, AVM Webb exemplifies the power of character, perseverance, and the courage to embrace both challenges and opportunities. His legacy serves as a beacon for those who dare to push boundaries, invest in others, and grow through every step of the journey.