Group Captain Glenn Gowthorpe, DSD, for services to the New Zealand Defence Force
Group Captain Glenn Gowthorpe has served 34 years in the New Zealand Defence Force in a range of command and leadership positions and from October 2020 to May 2022 commanded the New Zealand Defence Force Joint Task Force as part of New Zealand’s All of Government response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Group Captain Gowthorpe oversaw NZDF’s contribution to all MIQs and commanded the Auckland cordon from August 2021 to November 2021. He co-ordinated with other government agencies as part of the Government’s COVID-19 border response, building and maintaining effective relationships with agencies, and through understanding the policy and risks, he enabled the Joint Task Force to deliver the collective aim of keeping COVID-19 out of New Zealand communities. He led the Joint Task Force through the evolving risks of the Delta outbreak in August 2021 and the Omicron outbreak in early 2022. He led the Joint Task Force through frequent policy and operational changes, often with little notice, while distanced from headquarters staff due to lockdown requirements. He undertook difficult decisions impacting his Joint Task Force staff and the majority of New Zealand citizens, but which contributed significantly to New Zealand being able to reduce restrictions and open borders. Group Captain Gowthorpe demonstrated committed service over an extended period, assuring advice at the strategic and operational levels.