Editorial Board
Line of Defence is committed to building a credible, independent platform for informed analysis, commentary, and debate on Aotearoa New Zealand’s defence, national security, and strategic affairs. The Editorial Board, established following publication of Line of Defence Magazine’s 40th issue in June 2026, plays a central role in supporting this ambition.
The Editorial Board provides strategic guidance on thematic priorities and contributes to maintaining the analytical quality, relevance, and independence of the publication. The Board reflects a cross-section of experience from across New Zealand’s defence and security community, including senior practitioners, academics, former officials, and industry leaders.
The Editorial Board is deliberately small and selective. Members are invited based on their experience, credibility, and ability to contribute meaningfully to the publication’s purpose.
Editorial Board Members
Peter Greener
Dr Peter Greener is Editor-at-large at Line of Defence. He is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Strategic Studies at Victoria University Wellington, and an Honorary Professor – and previously Academic Dean – at the Command and Staff College of the New Zealand Defence Force. He was also an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences at AUT University, where he was Head of the School of Public Health and Psychosocial Studies (2003–2007) and Head of the Department of Psychotherapy and Applied Psychology (1998–2003).
Damien Rogers
Dr Damien Rogers is associate professor of International Relations and Security Studies at Massey University. He holds a PhD in Political Science and International Relations from the Australian National University and a PhD in Law from the University of Waikato. Before entering academia, he spent nearly a decade working within New Zealand’s intelligence community, including at the Government Communications Security Bureau, Ministry of Defence, with the New Zealand Defence Force, and the Border Security Group of Immigration New Zealand.
Andrew Watts
In an over three-decade career in the Royal New Zealand Navy, Captain Andrew Watts RNZNR commanded HMNZ Ships Pukaki, Wellington, Resolution and Te Mana, and served as Program Director, Network Enabled Capability; Captain, Fleet Personnel & Training; Director, Operation NEPTUNE; and Lead, Future Surface Combatant, Capability Branch, HQNZDF. He holds an MA (Strategic Studies) from the Australian Defence College, and has been published in the Professional Journal of the Royal New Zealand Navy. He currently provides consultancy services to Austal.
Donna Cleaver
Donna Cleaver is a doctoral researcher at the Centre for Defence and Security Studies, Massey University, where she examines anti-government extremism and security dynamics in Aotearoa New Zealand. She is an experienced public and private sector security and intelligence practitioner across investigative, protective security, intelligence, and strategic risk roles. Donna holds an MA (Defence and Security Studies) with Merit and a BA in Psychology with a criminal and forensic focus. Her research interests span extremism typologies and national security approaches.
John Battersby
Dr John Battersby is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Defence and Security Studies, Massey University, lecturing in Intelligence and Terrorism. John was a Research Historian with the Treaty Issues and International Law Team at the Crown Law Office, followed by a 21-year policing career. The inaugural Police Research Fellow at the Centre for Strategic Studies, Victoria University Wellington, in 2023 he received the NZ Institute of Intelligence Professionals Intelligence Training Award. He is Co-Editor-in-Chief and founding Managing Editor of the National Security Journal.
Nicholas Dynon
Nicholas Dynon is editorial director at Line of Defence. He is Group Brand Strategy & Innovation Director at Optic Security Group. He previously served for 14 years with the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection, which included diplomatic postings to Shanghai, Beijing, and Suva. Nicholas also served as a soldier and then officer in the Australian Army Reserve and is a graduate of the Royal Military College of Australia. He holds an M.IntS with Honours from the University of Sydney and an MA in Asian Studies from the Australian National University .