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In support of the 2025 Women in Security Awards Aotearoa, we feature the inspirational stories behind last year’s category winners.
Last year’s Women in Security Awards Aotearoa (WiSAA) proved a challenge for its judging panel, with winners across eight categories selected from a high quality field of nominees from across New Zealand’s security and resilience sector. It is hoped that their award citation narratives inspire a cohort of deserving nominees for this year’s Awards:
Contributing to defence and international security
Lieutenant Colonel Laura Cranston, New Zealand Defence Force
LTCOL Laura Cranston is recognised for her contribution to implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325 – Women, Peace and Security (WPS) within the NZDF and among international partners.
LTCOL Cranston was a key architect of the MOD and NZDF‘s Gender in Security Policy Statement that outlined Defence’s commitment to the UNSCR 1325 WPS Agenda. She led the growth of Gender Focal Points and Gender Advisors throughout the Services and the training of partners from the Pacific and beyond.
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Among other initiatives, she is formalising training packages addressing the role of gender in non-traditional threats, such as climate change, human trafficking, and cybersecurity. Her achievements have promoted the prevention of gender-based violence, protection of human rights, fostering of development and building of resilient communities, contributing to international security.
Protecting borders, trade, and biosecurity
Janna Binning, New Zealand Customs Service
Customs Technical Specialist Janna Binning is recognised for her successes in identifying risks facing New Zealand’s border. In the first eight months of 2023, Ms Binning supported the USCBP with detecting and preventing more than 500kg of methamphetamine from reaching New Zealand (an estimated 25,000,000 doses).
Ms Binning engaged in real time information sharing with Brazilian colleagues, US-based Immigration staff and the NZCS Integrated Targeting Operations Centre resulting in multiple drug couriers being refused entry into New Zealand.
Over three years, her work directly prevented at least 1,300 kilograms of illicit narcotics entering New Zealand. Additionally, she is an active member of the International Customs Attaché Group and Community in Washington DC, actively supporting New Zealand border security internationally.
Countering incivility and violent extremism
Detective Beth Bates, New Zealand Police
Detective Beth Bates is recognised for her work in Waitemata CIB and in particular for her professionalism in preventing a potentially major incident in January 2024.
Detective Bates monitored an individual who had threatened to suicide by detonating several IEDs in Auckland’s Albert Park. Her notifying the appropriate police workgroups led to a response that included the Armed Offenders Squad, Eagle helicopter, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron of the NZDF, and frontline officers. She maintained phone communication with the individual, gathering intelligence as resources were put in place and evacuation completed. Upon attempting to detonate the IED’s the individual was thwarted by the Armed Offenders Squad and arrested.
Detective Bates’ quick thinking, tenacity, and professionalism averted potential tragedy and ensured the ongoing trust and confidence of the public was maintained.
Safeguarding networks and people online
Tegan Wedderburn, Netsafe
Tegan Wedderburn is recognised for her role as a Service Manager at Netsafe Incorporated where she is responsible for leading a team of Digital Harms Resolution Officers tasked with providing quick and efficient redress for people impacted online harm.
Ms Wedderburn’s dedication and commitment was recognised in September 2023, when her team was recognised for providing outstanding customer service at the annual New Zealand Contact Centre Awards 2023. She has demonstrated a focus on continuous improvement and delivering exceptional service through expertise, dedication, and a structured, considered approach.
Passionate about supporting others who have experienced online harm, Ms Wedderburn places the client at the centre of all decisions and achieves optimal outcomes via an ability to build rapport with anyone, no matter their circumstances. She is committed to nurturing and growing talent, and in particular, supporting young women to reach their potential.
Securing organisations and infrastructure
Gina Lindsay-Crawford, FIRST Security
Client Services Manager Gina Lindsay-Crawford is recognised for implementing a range of initiatives that have improved the security posture of several nationally significant customer organisations across a range of critical sectors, including financial services, communications, and local and national government.
Ms Lindsay-Crawford’s engagement style and innovative solutions focus have been identified by several FIRST Security customer organisations as having driven positive security outcomes. These include tailored customer-specific training packages, as well as an online ordering system for the booking of specialised Security Officers in response to concerns over the safety of a customer’s field teams.
During the 2023 Auckland floods, Ms Lindsay-Crawford took charge of a significant local government contract, successfully managing a large guard force at very short notice to cordon off flood-damaged suburbs, ensuring that her staff were safe and equipped to protect the community.
Combatting fraud and misrepresentation
Catherine Abel-Pattinson, Netsafe
Catherine Abel-Pattinson is recognised for her strategic foresight, her holistic approach to combating online financial scams, and her role in securing a partnership with CYBERA, and have significantly fortified New Zealand’s fraud recovery for New Zealanders losing money to offshore accounts and within blockchain.
As the Chief Operations Officer of Netsafe and through previous strategic governance roles, Catherine has cultivated a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding online fraud and online harm. Her leadership is characterised by a proactive stance on digital threats, emphasising the importance of strategic partnerships and community engagement in creating a secure online environment for New Zealanders.
The CYBERA partnership has been instrumental in developing robust mechanisms for New Zealanders victimised by online financial and bitcoin scams, particularly those involving funds transferred to offshore accounts. Through the initiative, victims have been able to recover their lost funds, contributing significantly to the national effort against digital fraud.
Responding to natural disaster events
Colonel Mel Childs, New Zealand Defence Force
Colonel Mel Childs is recognised for her role as Commander of the New Zealand Defence Force’s Deployable Joint Interagency Task Force in which she led the NZDF response to Cyclone Gabrielle in affected areas across the North Island in February 2023.
COL Childs coordinated around 1,000 personnel across New Zealand while liaising with other agencies and stakeholders under extreme political and time pressure. Her team excelled under her leadership – matching her enthusiasm by responding with the same tireless work ethic and impassioned focus on delivery.
Colonel Childs’ calm and professional nature, combined with her command presence and competence, led to a highly successful response by the Defence Force, utilising assets and people from the Royal New Zealand Navy, New Zealand Army and Royal New Zealand Air Force. Colonel Childs is recognised as an exceptional role model for wāhine, not only in uniform but across the country.
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Inspector Juanita (Whiti) Timutimu. Image courtesy NZ Police.
Building resilient communities
Inspector Juanita (Whiti) Timutimu, New Zealand Police
Inspector Juanita (Whiti) Timutimu is recognised for her role as Chief Advisor Partnerships in New Zealand Police and as a board member of Eastern Central Community Trust, and in particular for her role in supporting Tairawhiti communities affected by cyclone and flooding events culminating in Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023.
Inspector Timutimu went above and beyond in response to these extreme weather events to support communities in need. Her relationships with hapū and Iwi led to a rapid turnaround in support, making food, emergency supplies and medication and essential items available, and allowing communities to support themselves.
Inspector Timutimu’s actions and leadership contributed to the establishment of a long term climate change-focused funding arrangement, increasing the resilience of communities within Eastern Central Community Trust catchment to future events. She is recognised as a role model for the Police Commissioners priority of ‘focussed prevention through Strategic Partnerships’.
Nominations for this year’s Women in Security Awards Aotearoa must be submitted by 21 February. For all the details, visit the 2025 WiSAAs information.
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