Fixed term (19 December 2016 – 30 June 2017) Director of National Security Communications, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. In late 2016 DPMC restructured its communications team. The previous role of Director of National Security Communications was vacant and I filled that role as well as the new role of Director of Strategic Communications and Engagement, pending recruitment of a substantive Director. The new Director took up her role in early May and I continued on the Security side, awaiting her clearance. DPMC has seven business units, four of which have embedded communications people (Govt House, the Strategic Intelligence Group, Greater Christchurch Group and MCDEM). The Director’s work varied from strategic to hands-on. During my time the work included matters such as allegations of conflicts of interest involving former CERA staff, several national security matters including Cyclone Cook and the Wanna Cry Cyber Security threat as well as “go live” of a new DPMC intranet and website. DPMC is staffed by some of the best brains in the country and it was a privilege to work among them for 6.5 months.