Brigadier Anthony Bryan Howie

Brigadier Anthony Bryan Howie was born on 21 August 1955 in Wanganui. He completed his secondary education at St Patrick's College in Silverstream, attaining Higher School Certificate.

Brigadier Howie enlisted into the New Zealand Army on 7 January 1974. He attended Officer Cadet School Portsea, Australia. Brigadier Howie graduated on 13 June 1975 as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. He was attached to the Territorial Force Depot in Burnham following his graduation and completed young officer regimental training.

On 17 May 1976, Brigadier Howie was posted to 2nd/1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment as a Platoon Commander. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 20 June 1977. Brigadier Howie was posted to 1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment in Singapore on 8 November 1979 and was employed as a Platoon Commander. He was promoted to Captain on 20 June 1980. 

On his return to New Zealand on 4 August 1980, Brigadier Howie was posted to 4th Battalion (Otago and Southland) and assumed the appointment of Adjutant. In January 1993, he was posted to Headquarters 3rd Task Force Region and was employed as the Staff Officer Grade Three Recruiting

Brigadier Howie returned to 1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, Singapore and was promoted to Major on 3 September 1985, in the appointment of Company Commander. By now he had represented the New Zealand Army in rugby and squash.

Brigadier Howie returned to New Zealand on 15 May 1988, and was posted to Headquarters Land Force Command assuming the appointment of Staff Officer Grade Two Training. Following Brigadier Howie's attendance and qualification on the Royal New Zealand Air Force Command and Staff College course in Whenuapai, he was posted to the School of Infantry, Waiouru as the Chief Instructor on 17 December 1988. Brigadier Howie was then posted to Waiouru Training Depot as the Officer Commanding on 16 December 1991.

On 1 August 1992, Brigadier Howie was posted to Army General Staff and assumed the appointment of Staff Officer Grade Two Operations. Brigadier Howie was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in March 1993, and assumed the appointment of Contingent Commander of the New Zealand Contingent Multinational Force and Observers. He returned to New Zealand in March 1994 as the Commanding Officer of 4th Battalion, Otago Southland, RNZIR.

Brigadier Howie took his release from the Regular Force in July 1995 and transferred to the Territorial Force and continued in the appointment as Commanding Officer 4th Battalion Otago Southland, RNZIR. In June 2000, on promotion to Colonel, he assumed the appointment as the Deputy Commander 3rd Land Force Group, Burnham Military Camp. In February 2004 Brigadier Howie deployed to Iraq as the Senior National Officer, OP Rake.  On his return to New Zealand in September 2004 Brigadier Howie assumed the appointment as the Deputy Territorial Force Adviser. In May 2006, on promotion to Brigadier, Brigadier Howie assumed the appointment as the Territorial Force Advisor. In 2007 he was awarded the Efficiency Decoration to recognise his Territorial Force Service.

In the civilian sector Brigadier Howie has been employed with a Solicitor and Barristers firm as a Practice Manager. He commenced employment with the Otago District Health Board in November 1996, initially as a Clinical Practice Group Manager, and then as the Integrated Care Manager. He left his position with the Otago District Health Board in April 2006 to set up a Property Investment Company. He currently has a senior management position in the Corrections Department.

Brigadier Howie graduated with a Master of Arts, in Strategic Studies and International Relations from Waikato University in 1995. In the 2005 New Year’s Honours List Brigadier Howie was made an Additional Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his role in Iraq.

Brigadier Howie has been involved in a number of community organisations, such as Age Concern Trust and the Monticello Veterans Home and Hospital Trust