JASON WHAREWERA
Multifaceted Operations And Leadership Professional
Oxford
Summary
With over 20 years of operational and strategic experience across peacekeeping, law enforcement, and workforce development, this seasoned and adaptable leader has honed communication skills and the ability to inspire confidence.
Excels at building high-trust teams and delivering meaningful outcomes in both structured and complex environments. Passionate about creating inclusive workplaces and fostering authentic relationships, dedicated to cultural engagement and building trust across diverse communities. Blends resilience, cultural awareness, and critical thinking to achieve ambitious goals.
Recognised with a meritorious citation and multiple commendations for making sound decisions that improve performance while fostering trust, collaboration, and success.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
5
5
Languages
Work History
Capability & Development Lead
Emergency Management Bay of Plenty
01.2023 - 03.2025
- Dual-Role Support: Successfully balanced "Business as Usual" responsibilities with responsive Operational Management during emergency events, including Cyclone Gabrielle.
- Emergency Response Leadership: Led Capability & Development and Māori Engagement initiatives, serving as Function Manager during critical emergency responses.
Deployed to stabilize Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) and Coordination Centers (ECC) in other regions, guiding teams for optimal coordination and empowering statutory roles with informed decision-making.
- Te Ao Māori Integration and Collaboration: Designed and integrated Te Ao Māori perspectives into the Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS), engaging Mārae clusters and Māori stakeholders.
Rebuilt and strengthened relationships with hapū and communities across the Bay of Plenty, fostering improved emergency management engagement and collaboration.
Established the Māori CDEM framework, incorporating Māori knowledge into hazard education and emergency management practices while upholding the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. Recognized and honored the cultural significance of 39 tribes, 260 sub-tribes, and 180 ancestral sites.
- Strategic Guidance and Stakeholder Collaboration: Provided strategic guidance to the Director and statutory Group Controller, focusing on enhanced operational efficiency, collaboration, and adherence to best practices.
Championed regional collaboration across seven Territorial Authorities (TAs), supporting 11 full-time Emergency Management Officers, dedicated volunteers, and regional stakeholders to foster resilience and strengthen community preparedness.
- Training and Capability Development: Designed and delivered training programs, exercises, and scenarios for approximately 3,000 Territorial staff and volunteers, ensuring readiness for emergency situations.
Effectively managed Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) funding to optimize program success and resource allocation.
- Innovative Practices: Determined and implemented innovative industry best practices using modern designs, tools, and methodologies to improve emergency management operations.
Sworn Police Officer
New Zealand Police
01.2018 - 01.2023
- Completed 20 months of front-line assessment before endorsement as a Field Training Officer, mentoring probationary constables and supporting skill development.
- Served as Acting Sergeant - Custody Supervisor for six months, overseeing operations, team management, and staff wellbeing.
- Simultaneously appointed as Regional Ethnic Liaison and Iwi Liaison, managing two critical portfolios while designing and delivering multi-ethnic and Māori-focused cultural training programs to foster inclusivity and enhance organisational cultural competency, all alongside fulfilling regular police duties.
- Provided strategic support on sensitive investigations and matters with potential regional and national impact, reporting directly to Regional and National Headquarters.
- Contributed to the National Leadership Governance Group by delivering strategic input and driving diversity-focused initiatives through membership on the Diversity Panel.
- Led recruitment efforts in collaboration with the regional police recruitment team to optimise outcomes by increasing applicant numbers, conducting local recruitment drives, and facilitating weekly cognitive conditioning sessions to prepare recruits for suitability assessments and Police College success.
- Established and maintained strong partnerships with community leaders, government agencies, and stakeholders to foster long-term collaboration, advance shared diversity goals, and ensure alignment between police and community objectives.
- Acted as a primary first responder, efficiently managing and resolving a wide range of daily incidents to maintain safety and order.
Workforce Team Leader
Geneva Elevator
03.2017 - 12.2017
- Awaiting NZ Police Application Process
Educator (Fixed-Term)
Tarawera High School
06.2016 - 12.2016
- Relocated to the Bay of Plenty taking up a fixed-term assignment
Culinary Art Chef Tutor
NSIA Culinary Institute
02.2016 - 06.2016
- Company Overview: NZ’s largest Culinary Arts School
- NZ’s largest Culinary Arts School
- On departing the NZ Army before deciding to relocate
Cross-Functional Soldier - TS / S Vetted
NZ Army Regular / Reserve Force
09.2000 - 02.2016
- Over 20 years of distinguished service in the New Zealand Army, with expertise in combat operations, logistics, military policing, and operational planning
- Completed international deployments to East Timor, the UAE, Afghanistan, and other regions, consistently delivering exceptional performance in high-pressure and dynamic environments.
- Served as a diplomatic close protection operator in Egypt, Israel and other regions, safeguarding dignitaries and managing cross-cultural collaborations
- Proven leader with strong adaptability, resilience, and precision in decision-making
- Leadership and Team Management
Led and mentored up to 14 direct reports, fostering a high-performance culture by enhancing team capabilities and aligning efforts with organisational goals. - Operational Planning and Coordination
Directed catering operations for junior, senior, and officers’ messes, providing high-quality service for up to 2000 attendees daily. Planned and coordinated tactical deployments (land, sea, and airdrop), ensuring comprehensive logistical support for personnel during military operations. - Strategic Advisement and Compliance
Provided expert analysis and recommendations to executive leadership, ensuring operational strategies were aligned with organisational goals and regulatory standards. - Security Operations Oversight
Executed military police duties, maintaining security and discipline during operations. Developed and implemented security measures for high-profile dignitaries during domestic and international missions. - Cultural Advisory and Relations Management
Managed domestic and international dignitary relations and cultural advisory services, fostering effective communication and mutual understanding across diverse contexts. - Security Operations for Dignitaries
Conducted covert and overt operations to ensure the safety of dignitaries, including the New Zealand Governor-General, Ambassador, Chief of Defence Force, and other high-profile figures. Developed and implemented comprehensive risk assessments and security strategies. - Operational Command
Planned, coordinated, and commanded operational missions and training exercises, ensuring readiness and effective preparation for deployment scenarios. - Recruit Training and Mentorship
Managed and mentored a platoon of up to 85 recruits, equipping them with essential skills, knowledge, and discipline for effective service in the Army.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Applied Managment - Pratical Business Leadership
Otago Polytechnic
Dunedin, OTA 01.2021 - 11.2021
(IAP2) Essesntial Engagement - International Association For Public Participation
IAP2 Australasia
Auckland 06.2020 - 06.2020
Adult Education & Training - Teaching & Training Adults - Vocational Tertiary
NZ Army
Army Training Group (ATG) 11.2006 - 11.2009
First Line Management - Foundational Leadership And Management
New Zealand Army
Army Training Group (ATG) 02.2006 - 11.2009
Diploma (Culinary Art) - Professional Culinary Arts And Kitchen Management
The City & Guilds of London Institute
Joint Military Catering School 02.2001 - 04.2004
Skills
- Adaptive Leadership
- Partnership Strategy Development
- Operational Efficiency Management
- Team building and mentoring
- Coaching and development
- Effective Relationship Development
Accomplishments
- Colonel in Chief HRH Prince Andrew Acknowledgement - Chef of the Year (Inter-Services) four consecutive years-3 Consecutive years representing NZDF
- Australia Governor General - Meritorious Unit Citation for warlike operations
- MFO Director General Commendation (Rome)
- MFO Force Commander Commendation (Egypt)
- United Nations Force Commander Commendation (East Timor)
- Police Commissioner Commendation
- Sergeant Major of the Army Commendations
- Recipients of the Peers Award, Senior Leadership Course
Development Summary
Committed to continuous learning and professional development, I have pursued diverse qualifications and certifications across multiple disciplines, including but not limited to Leadership, Anti-Harassment Advisor, Suicide Prevention, Close Protection, Culinary Arts, Police Practice, Serious Investigation, Instructional Design, Health and Fitness, and Microsoft Office applications. This extensive and varied educational foundation empowers me to adapt, innovate, and excel across a wide range of professional roles.
Timeline
Capability & Development Lead
Emergency Management Bay of Plenty
01.2023 - 03.2025
Bachelor of Arts - Applied Managment - Pratical Business Leadership
Otago Polytechnic
01.2021 - 11.2021
(IAP2) Essesntial Engagement - International Association For Public Participation
IAP2 Australasia
06.2020 - 06.2020
Sworn Police Officer
New Zealand Police
01.2018 - 01.2023
Workforce Team Leader
Geneva Elevator
03.2017 - 12.2017
Educator (Fixed-Term)
Tarawera High School
06.2016 - 12.2016
Culinary Art Chef Tutor
NSIA Culinary Institute
02.2016 - 06.2016
Adult Education & Training - Teaching & Training Adults - Vocational Tertiary
NZ Army
11.2006 - 11.2009
First Line Management - Foundational Leadership And Management
New Zealand Army
02.2006 - 11.2009
Diploma (Culinary Art) - Professional Culinary Arts And Kitchen Management
The City & Guilds of London Institute
02.2001 - 04.2004
Cross-Functional Soldier - TS / S Vetted
NZ Army Regular / Reserve Force
09.2000 - 02.2016
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