Earlier this month, the lives of 50 people were inexplicably cut short, and New Zealand came face-to-face with an evil it had hitherto only seen from afar. Families, communities and the nation are privately and collectively grieving while trying to make some sense of what happened and what the future now holds.
In this issue of Line of Defence, providing their thoughts in relation to the events in Christchurch of 15 March are Dr John Battersby, Dr Richard Shortt, Dr Bridgette Sullivan-Taylor and Dr Layla Branicki, specialists in terrorism, national security and intelligence, extreme events and individual and organisational resilience respectively. It is an interdisciplinary panel offering sober analysis and thoughtful perspectives on the way forward.
View/download PDF
In Defence, we interview Paul Jordan, the NZDF’s CIO on the CIS Change and Transformation Programme, described as the largest and most complex business change programme Defence have ever run. We also gain a truly fascinating insight from Sheryl Boxall into the NZDF’s Strategic Foresight Programme, which generates insights about the future so that the NZDF can make better decisions in world of change and disruption.
Also in Defence, Defence Minister Hon Ron Mark and Opposition Defence Spokesperson Hon Mark Mitchell provide their updates, Jennie Vickers gets us up to speed on Avalon 2019, we hear from our fantastic sponsors: Loop Technologies, Leonardo, GA-ASI, and Embraer; and more.
Plenty also in the International, Border and Homeland Security sections. In the latter, we gain two very different perspectives from security consultants David Horsburgh CPP PSP PCI and James Knapp on the report of the State Services Commission inquiry into the use of external security consultants by government agencies.
I am delighted to announce the establishment of the Line of Defence Editorial Advisory Board. Commencing with the upcoming Winter 2019 issue of the magazine, the EAB will provide valuable advice on the editorial direction, ensuring that our content is the best that it possibly can be.
Founding members of the Board include: Dr Peter Greener (Senior Fellow, Centre for Strategic Studies, VUW), Prof Rouben Azizian (Director, Centre for Defence and Security Studies, Massey University), Dr Bridgette-Sullivan Taylor (Senior Lecturer, University of Auckland), Dr Reuben Steff (Senior Lecturer, University of Waikato), Dr John Battersby (Senior Lecturer, CDSS),Paul Howard (Assistant Chief Joint Defence Services (Commercial), NZDF), Debbie Howarth (Director, Industry Engagement, NZDF), John Deal (Deputy Director Engagement & Business Relations, CIS Branch, NZDF), Jennie Vickers (CEO, NZDIA), Douglas Pauling (Director, Global Defence Solutions Limited),John Campbell MNZM (CEO, Ra Moana Consulting), Ruth Currie DSD (Vice President Government & Defence Logistics, Kuehne + Nagel, Pat Cullen (Public Sector, )IBM New Zealand, and Hon Dr Wayne Mapp QSO (former Defence Minister).
And lastly, a shout out to Government, Defence, Law Enforcement, Emergency Services and Health Services personnel and volunteers who are working under extraordinary circumstances to carry New Zealand through these darkest of days.
Kia kaha.
Nicholas Dynon
