As we count down to this Friday’s WiSAA nomination deadline, New Zealand Security Magazine presents a series highlighting the achievements of last year’s winners. In this article we feature Ngaire Kelaher PSP CPP (Educator) and Tash Bettridge (Indigenous Awareness).
New Zealand Security Magazine is a proud supporter of Women in Security Awards Aotearoa. More WiSAA news can be found on our listing of WiSAA-related articles.
If you’re considering nominating yourself or someone you know for this year’s Women in Security Awards Aotearoa (WiSAA) and in need of some inspiration, look no further than last year’s elite group of winners.
Ngaire Kelaher was the winner of 2020’s hotly contested Educator category. While her own education story in inspirational, Ngaire’s impact as a security educator is phenomenal. We’re hoping to see another strong nominee field in this category in 2021!
Tash Bettridge is a force behind increasing diversity and access in the cyber security space. Engaging frequently and widely within and beyond the sector, Tash is a co-founder of the New Zealand Network for Women in Security.
Within nominations due this Friday, make sure you don’t miss out! Read all about the nomination process and criteria here.
Educator
Ngaire Kelaher PSP, CPP has worked hard on her professional development in order to ensure her students gain as much theoretical knowledge with practical experience as possible.
Ngaire is the first woman, and first Māori woman, to lead the New Zealand Chapter of ASIS International. Recently, Ngaire has facilitated presentations by global security thought leaders and sector influencers to improve access to knowledge and learning programmes.
Ngaire is one of very few double ASIS certified professionals, and the only woman to hold both CPP and PSP designations in New Zealand. She has delivered training and presentations across both private and public sectors.
Ngaire’s understanding of training systems and processes mitigate the risk of low completion rates typically associated with low paying jobs, with many of her students over the years having transitioned into senior operational and management roles.
Indigenous Awareness
Tash Bettridge is a strong and enthusiastic advocate for greater access to technology, the implementation of it to disadvantaged communities, and cyber security training for indigenous Māori.
Tash Bettridge, co-founder New Zealand Network for Women in Security.
Tash has a strong connection with her whakapapa and recognises the importance of connecting Indigenous people with technology through an understanding of traditional Māori tikanga.
Tash has worked tirelessly for diversity in the New Zealand Cyber Security landscape, including participating and presenting at the annual Women in Security seminars. Tash also co-established an online community, New Zealand Network for Women in Security (for physical and virtual meetups).
In doing this, she has woven traditional Maori manaakitanga that has meant giving people greater access to resources so that they are now regular contributors to content and support.
