Peter Bullock

Management and operations leader with experience leading people, services, complex operations, training and organisational change across healthcare, defence, logistics, education, infrastructure and high-risk environments. I combine operational leadership with business management, governance, risk, quality, organisational resilience, vocational education and capability development. My career has moved from frontline operational roles through team leadership, regional management and specialist risk and assurance to executive, CEO and governance responsibilities.

This gives me a practical understanding of how strategy, resources, people and systems come together to deliver reliable performance. I have led geographically dispersed teams, managed operational budgets exceeding $2 million, developed major business cases, delivered service improvements and savings, led 24/7 operational coordination, supported crisis response and developed people and organisational capability. My approach is practical, collaborative and outcome-focused: set clear direction, build capable people, use sound information to make decisions, strengthen systems and accountability, and stay close enough to operations to know whether the strategy is working.

Chief Executive Officer - New Zealand Safety Council Trust

(2022-09)

I provide leadership to a national charitable organisation focused on professional safety capability, safety leadership and organisational development. The role combines governance engagement, stakeholder leadership, organisational priorities and practical delivery.

Governance Group Member & Treasurer - Health and Safety Association of New Zealand (HASANZ)

(2024-09)

I contribute to governance, financial oversight, professional capability and sector initiatives across the New Zealand health and safety profession.

Risk and Assurance Senior Advisor — Operational Test and Evaluation - New Zealand Defence Force

(2021-12 - 2026-08)

Provided independent risk, assurance and organisational performance insight across complex, high-value programmes. Assessed capability, readiness, system effectiveness and control performance through evidence-based evaluation and verification.

• Translated complex technical and operational information into clear, decision-useful advice for governance boards and senior leaders.
• Assessed integrated capability across people, infrastructure, organisations, concepts and doctrine, information technology, equipment and logistics.
• Identified systemic issues, dependencies, weaknesses and improvement opportunities, balancing risk with operational and organisational priorities.

Senior Operations Officer — Global - New Zealand Defence Force

(2019-10 - 2021-12)

Led the 24/7 NZDF Watch Centre team of nine civilian and three military direct reports, responsible for real-time operational coordination and risk response.

• Managed team performance, capability and wellbeing in high-pressure, time-critical environments.
• Provided executive-level briefings and coordinated cross-agency engagement during national and international events.
• Supported organisational resilience, continuity and crisis management across a 300+ personnel ecosystem.

Principal Personnel Manager, Health, Safety and Wellness Advisor — Iraq - New Zealand Defence Force - Iraq

(2018-09 - 2019-07)

• Led risk, safety and personnel management for a 100-person NZ contingent within a combined NZ and Australian unit deployed in a multinational environment.
• Engaged with coalition partners, contractors and command structures and managed operational, environmental and wellbeing risks.
• Worked in complex, high-consequence conditions where exposure recording and monitoring were important elements of risk control.

Senior Personnel, Health, Safety and Wellness Advisor - New Zealand Defence Force

(2016-12 - 2018-09)

Worked in a 450-person high-risk, functionally diverse work unit, developing and implementing systems and processes aligned to HSWA-15 and advancing personnel risk management.

• Led incident investigation, statistical analysis, reporting, safety interventions, rehabilitation, complex case oversight and regular safety meetings.
• Developed training products, coaching and workshops to improve capability and embed cultural change.
• Implemented systems and processes supporting high-risk remote work, heavy vehicle operations, workshops and warehouse supply.

Regional General Manager — Health Services — South Island - New Zealand Defence Force - South Island

(2014-12 - 2016-12)

Led a geographically dispersed health services organisation comprising 250 staff, multiple facilities, contracted providers and clinical support services supporting approximately 1,600 personnel across the South Island.

• Balanced operational delivery with financial, workforce and service performance outcomes.
• Managed operational budgets exceeding $2 million while maintaining service delivery.
• Strengthened service capability during organisational change and built effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Refreshed the rehabilitation model, developed staff and contributed to CDHB operational planning for a patient migration between hospitals.

Regional Operations Manager — Health — South Island - New Zealand Defence Force - South Island

(2013-12 - 2014-12)

Led South Island health operations, facilities, personnel, safety, security and service delivery.

• Developed a $1.9m business case to modernise a GP practice and pharmacy, coordinated delivery of the approved scope on time and within budget.
• Developed the case to retain in-house after-hours medical capability, delivering a projected saving of approximately $1m over five years.

Regional Operations Manager — Logistics — South Island - New Zealand Defence Force - South Island

(2011-12 - 2012-12)

Led regional logistics service delivery through planning, liaison, advice and resource coordination.

• Established civil defence capability to coordinate crisis and logistics response.
• Coordinated service delivery across catering, warehousing and supply, vehicle repair and engineering, transport fleet and bulk fuel.

Training & Operations Manager — Territorial Force - New Zealand Defence Force

(2008-12 - 2011-12)

Regional responsibility for administration and evaluation of safe, realistic and effective training for 200 geographically dispersed personnel, including designing and delivering vocational and workplace training and developing capability.

• Maintained staff engagement and developed professional culture through practical leadership, training and coaching.
• Worked with and advised Industry Skills Boards and NZQA on vocational training and capability matters, alongside applying CIMS methodology with NZ Police, FENZ and other stakeholders during the Canterbury earthquake and Pike River responses.

Frontline Operational Staff - New Zealand Defence Force

(1989-03 - 2008-12)

Progressive team leadership, training, safety supervision and management of frontline staff across high-risk operational, on-campus and wilderness environments, including heavy machinery, climbing, parachuting and small boats.

• Developed capability through practical team management and workplace training, including work with young people at risk in trade training, navigation, first aid, self-leadership, goal setting and risk management.

QEHS, Wellness, Security and Risk Consultant - IQM Group

(2018)

Maintained practical exposure across diverse industries, organisational cultures and operating environments through pro bono independent consultancy and work as an IQM Group Associate.

• Construction, infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, transport, engineering, education, community organisations and Māori trusts.
• Work includes gap analysis, critical risk and control reviews, audit preparation, documentation improvement, contractor management, incident investigation and ISO-aligned management systems.

Master of Health Sciences (Occupational Health) - Occupational Health (2025)

PG Dip Health Sciences (Occupational Health) - Occupational Health (2016)

Bachelor of Business (Management) - Management (2009)

Certificate in Adult Education and Training - Adult Education and Training - NZQA (2008)