The New Zealand Distinguished Service Medal:
GOWTHORPE, Group Captain Glenn
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.
The New Zealand Distinguished Service Medal:
MCINNES, Squadron Leader George Samuel
For services to the New Zealand Defence Force
Squadron Leader George McInnes was the aircraft captain of a Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopter that was dispatched on 30 May 2021 to assist the New Zealand Police Search and Rescue during a state of emergency due to widespread flooding of the Canterbury plains.
Squadron Leader McInnes responded to a request to rescue multiple people that were trapped and endangered by rapidly rising floodwaters. The conditions were extremely difficult for helicopter operations with heavy rain, strong and gusty winds and low cloud. The local civilian rescue helicopter had decided not to attempt the rescues due to conditions exceeding their operating limits and a swift water rescue crew had been unsuccessful in trying to reach a motorist, who had leapt into the flowing waters only to be trapped by a tree. Squadron Leader McInnes manoeuvred his helicopter to attempt a rescue. Battling against the extreme conditions, he lowered his winch crewperson among the debris and branches to successfully rescue the trapped motorist and carried him and the winch crewperson underslung to the water’s edge, to meet waiting emergency services. Squadron Leader McInnes then returned to rescue another two motorists trapped in their vehicle in similar challenging conditions, successfully extracting them before they were swept away, demonstrating expert flying skills.
The New Zealand Distinguished Service Medal:
ROPITINI, Lieutenant Colonel Vanessa Maria
For services to the New Zealand Defence Force
Lieutenant Colonel Vanessa Ropitini joined the New Zealand Army in 1991 and became Lieutenant with the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment in 2005, where she has served in command roles and on operations.
Lieutenant Colonel Ropitini was appointed as the Staff Officer Logistic Plans with Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand, supporting the New Zealand Government’s contribution to the international response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. She deployed to Germany as the Logistic Task Group Commander with the International Donor Coordination Centre (IDCC) to support the Ukraine capability development and integration programme. During the early stages of the IDCC, she assisted in assessing and prioritising the Government of Ukraine’s equipment and capability demand against the offers of donated capability and support by many nations. She addressed shortcomings within the Defence Lines of Development, ensuring donations could be transferred to the Ukraine Armed Forces as a complete capability, such as matching donations of equipment with training expertise in that equipment offered by different countries. Her diplomatic skills in capturing and channelling the international response was key in advancing the IDCC from a bilateral organisation to a cohesive international team from 26 nations. Lieutenant Colonel Ropitini was a key member of the small command team who designed the future structures of the Headquarters.