NZDF Overwatch

06/02/2024

Firstly, our apologies that you haven’t heard from us for a while, but rest assured we have some exciting times ahead of us!

After a COVID induced break, the NZDF will once again be participating in the Auckland Rainbow Parade, Ponsonby Rd Auckland at 1900 - 2130 on 17 Feb 24. This event is open to Regular Force, Reserve Force, NZDF Civilians and NZDF whānau .

The Auckland Parade will be the ‘official’ NZDF parade however, those who unable to make it are encouraged to attend regional events in a personal capacity.

This year we celebrate the 10 years since the NZDF started participating in Pride Parades and we would love to see as many of our Defence Force’s rainbow communities, whānau, and allies come along to show their support and experience this awesome event with the OverWatch Network!

If you like to join us for this awesome event please email us at [email protected]

06/06/2023

Kia Ora OverWatch Whānau,

This year, alongside other organisations and individuals across Aotearoa the New Zealand Defence Force is proud to take part in Sweat with Pride.

The New Zealand Defence Force is committed to supporting Sweat with Pride and Rainbow inclusion. All NZDF personnel who are able to, are encouraged to take part and exercise for at least 21 minutes EVERY DAY this June.

Every dollar raised will go to the New Zealand AIDS Foundation and fund projects in partnership with RainbowYOUTH and OutLine to improve the mental and physical health of Aotearoa’s Rainbow communities. 🌈

We'd love for you to join us. Together, we are a Force for New Zealand.

Make a donation today to support Sweat with Pride!

12/03/2023

Awesome Visit from National’s Christopher Luxon, Nicola Willis and Chris Bishop 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

14/10/2022

The NZ Defence Force is proud to have partnered with Pride Pledge. As a Defence Force, we are committed to taking actions that demonstrate our dedication to the safety, visibility and inclusion of LGBTTQIA+ communities, their whanau and allies.

In 2019, NZDF achieved Rainbow Tick certification; our new relationship with Pride Pledge compliments our work with Rainbow Tick status and assists our continuous improvement approach.

Pride Pledge is not an accreditation service, but rather a partner that will work alongside NZDF to support our commitment to rainbow communities inclusion. In joining with them, NZDF is building on the work we are doing to ensure our organisation is a welcoming and inclusive place for members of rainbow communities.

Partnership with Pride Pledge builds on the work underway within the Directorate of Diversity and Inclusion with additional benefits including rainbow awareness training, policy consultation, access to resources and networking and collaboration opportunities for the OverWatch network.

The Pride Pledge organisation represents approximately 250 businesses across Aotearoa in a range of industries including public sector, hospitality, finance, insurance, tourism, construction and health.

Partnering with them offers more opportunities for NZDF to connect with local, regional and national events. This engagement will provide additional engagement opportunities for our OverWatch Network (LGBTTQIA+ communities, their whanau and allies).

03/10/2022

EXHIBITION OPEN

This photographic exhibition tells the stories of 25 Le***an, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender, former and contemporary personnel from the NZ Defence Force

The exhibition developed in 2019 as part of Pride 25, a series of events commemorating 25 years since the NZDF openly welcomed LGBTTQIA+ personnel. It also recognises the journey of the NZDF from exclusion to becoming a world leader in military LGBTTQIA+ inclusion.

The NZDF has around 14,000 staff members, including civilians across the Army, Navy and Air Force. Overseas deployments, UN missions and military exercises mean its operates in countries across the globe.

In 2012 the NZDF established the OverWatch Group to support the unique needs of the Defence Force’s LGBTTQIA+ staff – both in uniform and civilian, and to provide education to its leaders so they understand different sexualities and gender identities.

“The ideal would be that OverWatch is no longer a requirement – that tolerance becomes acceptance and that no person requires advice and support. Until that day the Defence Force will be committed to ensuring it is an organisation that understands strength lies in the diversity of all its personnel.”

National Army Museum, Waiouru New Zealand

20/06/2022

✨ MEET THE TEAM ✨

Today we introduce F/S Annie Clarkson.

Position in OverWatch: RNZAF Base Ohakea Rep.

I joined the NZDF in 1991 and have had an amazing career. I’ve served on many different bases, and a few ships, and I’ve been all over the world. I have met friends that I will never forget and people I wish I could forget! I have had the chance to work with some amazing people, all of whom have had their own stories to tell, but I was always sad that some of those people were not always able to their tales. I have watched the NZDF change in so many ways over my 31 years and I am so proud of how far we have come, but I also recognise we still have further to go. Now I’m excited to be a part of the mechanism of change and to help both the people within our community and the people outside who strive for understanding.

Why you are in the OverWatch Committee: I want to ensure that all NZDF personnel are able to be themselves no matter where they are or who they are with. I want to make sure all personnel have a voice, even if it isn’t their own quite yet. I also want to give back to a community that has given to me.

Why OverWatch is important to you: When I first saw Overwatch it filled me with a sense of possibility; a sense that it was going to be possible for me to be me, an open and honest me that is all of who I am, no matter where I was. That feeling was something that made me excited to be me and that feeling is something I wish for all people to feel, especially those that might be struggling with being themselves.

Thank you Annie for all you do to make the future of OverWatch as inclusive as possible.

31/05/2022

New Zealand Defence Force is committed to supporting Sweat with Pride and Rainbow inclusion. All NZDF personnel who are able to, are encouraged to take part and exercise for at least 21 minutes EVERY DAY this June. If you want to donate or to join the team, check out the link: https://lnkd.in/dFZAzmht

Sweat with Pride: Make a donation today to support Sweat with Pride

25/05/2022

✨ MEET THE TEAM ✨

It is our pleasure to introduce our third member in the Meet The Team series, Adrian Charlesworth.

Position in OverWatch: Strategic Advisor/Visibility – Civilian Rep

For the past 18 ½ years I have worked within the education sector, starting as a teacher and then progressively moving to HOD. I joined NZDF in 2014 and work for the Defence College. My particular unit is Training Technology, however I also worked within Learning Solutions. As an E-Learning Specialist, The Training Technology team produce e-learning development resources and online courses for the whole of the Defence Force. We also work closely with many of the directorates, schools and units to provide help and advice on the right approaches to having a more blended learning environment.

Why you are in the OverWatch Committee: When I first joined Defence, I worked with an Army Unit in Linton and spent three days a week with them, but when I say with them, I mean I sat in a far corner facing a wall away from the team and hardly talked at all, which I did for a year and a half. I did this mainly because I was scared of telling all of the ‘men’ who I actually was and worried about their reactions. Also my perception of Army, from TV and life didn’t help either! In general and before being in Defence, I am an out, proud cisgender gay man, and have been for the last 24 years, but somehow the stigma of working with a predominantly heterosexual male dominating area just got to me and I felt I couldn’t be the person I was outside of work. I am not blaming the unit or anyone else for my own idiosyncrasies, and how I felt, but the culture also needs to start to shift some more. This is why I am on the committee, to make sure no one feels this way and that it IS OK to be YOU. I want Defence to understand that our beautiful rainbow community is amazing and I can do this by getting people to understand who we actually are, and to spread the correct information and awareness of our community.

Why OverWatch is important to you: Shortly after finishing my work with the Army, I found out that there was a rainbow community within Defence, and knowing that we have a workplace that was striving to support an inclusive and safe space for all was one of the main reasons why I am now not worried about who I am within Defence. OverWatch gave me my voice back and gave me the freedom to be me, and for that I am for-ever grateful. We do, however, need OverWatch to keep being visible, to keep sharing our stories with everyone and to keep educating. By doing this we will create the inclusion we all desire and will then truly become a Force for NZ that anyone would want to be a part of.

We thank Adrian, not only for his professional expertise, but the courage he has shown to share is story with all of us.

24/05/2022

✨ MEET THE TEAM ✨

Today we introduce Lieutenant Zia Loo, Our Burnham Based Rep who has been with NZDF for 4 Years. Here’s what Zia has got to say.

Position in OverWatch: Burnham Camp Rep.

I have served in the NZDF as a Dental Officer since 2019. Prior to that I was practising dentistry in a community health setting around different parts of New Zealand. I am grateful for the amazing people I have had the opportunity to work with and become good mates with in NZDF, some of whom has helped and supported me in my own personal journey of coming out and living authentically. I hope that through my role as Burnham Rep for Overwatch help those in need to navigate their own journeys and know that they do not have to go through it alone.

Why you are in the OverWatch Committee: I chose to be part of the Overwatch committee because I believe it is important to be a voice for those who may not have one or are still finding their way in their own personal journeys. Having visibility changes the attitudes of society, it can help challenge stereotypes, promote discussions and open people's minds. Like they say, if you can see it and believe it, then you can achieve it. I hope that Overwatch can be a platform for others to reach out to, this extends to civilian, uniform, ex-personnel as well as those who identify as part of the rainbow community or just want to be supporting allies.

Why OverWatch is important to you: I believe our people are our greatest asset in NZDF. This is why being part of something bigger than myself such as Overwatch means a lot to me. I would like to add value to Overwatch which continues to advocate for equal opportunity to serve and creating a workplace where our people can feel safe to communicate openly, be respected and be able to bring their whole selves to the workplace.

Today we congratulate Zia for being a pioneer and steering our future success, Thanks Zia!

16/05/2022

May 17th is the International Day Against LGBTTIQ+ discrimination ( ). It is a day recognised internationally for LGBTTIQ+ people and allies. We all have a role to play in supporting rainbow communities’ inclusion, and in standing up and speaking out against discrimination.

16/05/2022

✨ MEET THE TEAM ✨

Today it is our honour to Introduce Major Leanne Chambers, Our Trentham Based Rep who served an outstanding 34 years within NZDF. Here’s what Leanne has got to say.

Position in OverWatch: Outgoing Trentham Camp Rep and previous OverWatch chair 2014/2015 and Events Lead 2012/2013

I have served in the New Zealand Army for the last 34 years. The last 11 years as an out le***an woman. Changes in society in New Zealand and the support of leadership in the NZDF have allowed me to bring my whole self to work to allow me to be as authentic as I can be as a leader. I wouldn’t say it has all been plain sailing, but it is much better than what the narrative was in my head before coming out. I am forever grateful for the support of my partner Jo in believing in me and supporting my career and encouraging me to be myself.

Why you are in the OverWatch Committee: I chose to be part of the OverWatch management in the beginning and latterly in the last year because I know how important it is to have people visible and vocal for others that may not have found the right words yet or need support. That has applied to people in, uniform, civilians and ex-service personnel. Also to help our straight allies and commanders in demystifying the letters of our rainbow alphabet and to give them insight into some into our workplace challenges and unconscious biases. I have thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of OverWatch and robust dialogue between ourselves striving to do what we think is right for our NZDF comrades.

Why OverWatch is important to you:
The success of the NZ Army and NZDF is determined by its people, and for that we must support our own to allow them to bring their whole selves to work, be respected for what they bring to the table and their diversity of thought. It is important now, more than ever, that the NZDF is representative of all of New Zealand society. OverWatch gives people a greater feel of belonging, understanding and empowerment to support each other and to serve with pride.

Kia Kaha OverWatch.

It is people like Leanne who drive, inspire and encourage us all to be who we are today. Thank you Leanne.

28/04/2022

In spirit of our Rebranding it only seemed fitting to Celebrate our 10 Year Anniversary of OverWatch in Style! We are excited to show off our new look & look forward to you all being able to see it. Watch this space 🔥

T-Shirts are currently only available for NZDF Reg Force & NZDF Civilians

📧 [email protected] for more info 📧

Black - Civilian
Blue - Navy/Air
Tan - Army