Captain Ross Smith, who was born in Oamaru and educated at Waitaki Boys High School and the University of Otago, will be promoted to commodore with operational command of the navy's ships.
He will be responsible for the readiness of the fleet and naval forces.
The position was vacated following Commodore (to be promoted to rear-admiral) Tony Parr's promotion and appointment to the position of Chief of Navy, a navy spokeswoman said.
Capt Smith previously worked in two roles in joint forces headquarters between 2004 and 2006, after which he deployed to Afghanistan to command the provincial reconstruction team at Bamyan Province.
His most recent position was Assistant Chief of Navy (personnel), a post he occupied until earlier this year.
A special ceremony to mark the appointment, as well as the appointment of Comm Parr to Chief of Navy, will take place at Devonport Naval Base tomorrow.
During the formal ceremony, Comm Parr would relinquish command as the maritime component commander with the words "You have the fleet", and Capt Smith would assume command by responding "I have the fleet", the spokeswoman said.
