Senior Management Group
Deputy Secretary of Defence (Policy and Planning)
Dr Brook Barrington
Brook Barrington is Deputy Secretary of Defence (Policy and Planning). The Policy and Planning Division provides defence and security policy advice, maintains New Zealand's bilateral and multilateral defence relationships, and advises on the military and organisational capabilities needed to achieve the Government's requirements.
Brook has had an extensive career in the New Zealand foreign ministry and diplomatic service. He was most recently the New Zealand Ambassador to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Prior to this appointment Brook was the Foreign Policy and Defence Advisor in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (2003-2005), and served as the Deputy Head of the New Zealand Mission to the European Union and Consul-General to Belgium (1999-2002). He was Executive Assistant to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1997-1999) and was posted to Canberra as Second (then First) Secretary in the New Zealand High Commission (1993-1996).
Brook has also worked in the Australia, Europe and Disarmament Divisions within the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1990-1993).
Read more about the Policy and Planning Division.
Deputy Secretary of Defence (Acquisition)
Des Ashton
Des Ashton is Deputy Secretary of Defence (Acquisition). The Acquisition Division acquires equipment for the New Zealand Defence Force including the RNZN, the NZ Army, and the RNZAF where project value exceeds NZ$7 million.
Prior to his appointment on 1 October 2008, Des had careers in the RNZAF and industry.
His RNZAF service (1969-1993), included four years in Washington DC, two with the Singapore Air Force, one with the RAF in UK and numerous postings and short tours in New Zealand and overseas.
He was General Manager of Safe Air Limited (1994-2000) and Vice President for Airframe Engineering for Ansett Australia and Air New Zealand (2000-2001)
2002 - 2008 he operated a small consultancy, Ashton Technologies, specialising in aviation, technology and defence. Customers included L-3 Communications, Kaman and Kellstrom of USA, Aquaflow Bionomic Corp, NMIT, TAIC, Trade NZ and National Aircraft Interiors. He spent two years as CEO of Port Marlborough Limited and was a board director of Marlborough Lines (electricity), Cuddon Engineering, Flightcell International and other companies.
Des had honorary roles in the Defence Industry Committee of New Zealand, the Aircraft Industry Association Engineering Division and the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Read more about the Acquisition Division.
Deputy Secretary of Defence (Evaluation)
Merus Cochrane
Merus Cochrane is Deputy Secretary of Defence (Evaluation) in the Ministry of Defence. The Evaluation Division is responsible for conducting assessments and audits of the New Zealand Defence Force and of the Ministry's capability acquisition activities on behalf of the Minister of Defence, against a programme approved by the Defence Evaluation Board on behalf of the Minister.
Appointed in 2002, Merus came from the position of Sector Manager in the Office of the Auditor-General, responsible for the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, and Health sector portfolios. She held that position for five years, and in it managed relationships with auditors, Government agencies, and Parliament, designed audit programmes for the portfolios, provided briefings on performance to Ministers and select committees, and led performance audits and reviews.
Before that she was a senior manager (Policy) in the Ministry of Education for four and a half years, leading both the Learning and Evaluation and the Education Management Policy teams. This involved direct liaison with Ministers and Cabinet committees, and significant involvement in the budget process, as well as consultation with other agencies and the community.
Read more about the Evaluation Division.
Deputy Secretary of Defence (Corporate)
Zane Kidd
Zane Kidd is Deputy Secretary of Defence (Corporate) in the Ministry of Defence. The Corporate Division is responsible for providing support services and policy advice in the areas of human resources, information management and technology, and legal. The division is responsible for all aspects of Ministerial services, including the handling of Ministerial correspondence, and miscellaneous enquiries.
Appointed in July 2005, Zane came from the position of Human Resources Manager with the Ministry of Defence which he had held since November 2000. Prior to commencing work with the Ministry of Defence Zane held senior positions in other public sector organisations like the Treasury, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Research Science and Technology. He is a member of the New Zealand Association of Psychological Type and the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand.
Read more about the Corporate Division.
Chief Financial Officer/Deputy Secretary of Defence (Finance)
Bryan Westbury
Bryan Westbury is the Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Secretary of Defence (Finance).
Prior to his appointment on 3 November 2008, Bryan was General Manager Corporate Services and Sales for Standards New Zealand which he held for a period of ten years. Bryan has also held senior financial positions with Ajax Fasteners (NZ) Ltd, Unisys (NZ) Ltd and within a chartered accountancy firm.
Bryan, a chartered accountant, has extensive experience in strategic planning, management and financial accounting in the IT, services and manufacturing industries as well as the public sector. He takes an active role with providing strong strategic and financial guidance to assist the organisation to strive to achieve its objectives.
