Service offers lifelong skills

"The leadership, strategic planning and critical thinking skills I learnt as an Officer in the NZ Army
have been instrumental in my appointment to senior management and governance roles, "said
Major (Rtd) Fiona Cassidy.

Fiona (Ngāti Kuri, Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa) served in the Army from 1982 until 1998. She was
deployed overseas to Sinai and to Bougainville (Operation Bel Isi) as part of an unarmed
peacekeeping mission.

"In Bougainville, we were living in effectively a war-ravaged country - we didn't know whether or not we were entirely safe. That environment really tests you at all levels - as a leader, a team member and as an individual," she said, "but the Army's training ensures you have the skillset to do your job."

"I learned how to walk alongside people, not in front or behind them. At 19 years old I was leading
32 men in Burnham at a time when there were very few female officers in command roles. It had its
challenges, but we built a strong team based on trust and mutual respect."

"The army also taught me strategic and critical thinking and how to act and make decisions in
volatile situations. Most importantly, throughout my army career, leadership training was central to
my career, and it is these lifelong skills that I continue to use today."

Fiona's experience demonstrates the importance of grounding professional actions on ethics,
integrity and values. She holds firm to the army's values of courage (Tū Kaha), commitment (Tū
Tika), comradeship (Tū Tira), and Integrity (Tū Māia). Alongside these values, Fiona stresses the
recognition of cultural knowledge and approaches in peacekeeping.

Fiona has held a number of senior leadership roles in the public and private sectors, including
Director of Communications with the New Zealand Defence Force. She has held many governance
roles nationally and internationally. She was the first Chairperson of the Public Relations Institute of
New Zealand, having previously been the President.

From 2009 until 2025 she was a member and then chair of the National War Memorial Advisory
Council. She is a former Chair of the New Zealand Remembrance Army and a former member of the
Veterans' Advisory Board. She is currently the deputy chair of Toi Whakaari (NZ Drama School), a
ASEAN PR Network member, and on the Global Alliance for PR and Communications Management
Asia Pacific Committee. Recently, she also joined the Kaitiaki Group for Ngā Tuāhine O Ngāti
Tūmatauenga Sisters in Arms (SIA).

"A highlight of my governance career has been serving the community I was part of. I ensured
veterans and their families were at the heart of commemorations at the National War Memorial,
and I continue to act to honour our veterans and ensure our voices are heard," she says.
Fiona is deeply committed to lifelong professional learning and to supporting emerging leaders, both
qualities she developed in the army.

"I have been mentoring young leaders for over 30 years. I share my skills and experience and I learn
from them. To be relevant, you must be current. Lifelong learning is a must," she said.