NZDF top safety award recipient leads from the front to keep people safe and operational ready

“Everything we do in logistics underpins flying operations,” she says. “If we can’t store it, issue it, or move it safely, aircraft don’t fly. It’s as simple as that.”

That mindset has seen Sergeant McGovern named the New Zealand Defence Force Safety Person of the Year, as well as receiving the award for Best Initiative to Address a Safety Risk. Her work has been central to the safe occupation and activation of the new No. 5 Squadron P-8A Poseidon hangar facility, Te Whare Toroa, at Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Ohakea.

As the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the P-8A Forward Support Section, Sergeant McGovern led an intense nine-month effort to ensure the new hangar met regulation, including every hazardous-substances requirement, ahead of occupation. Without certification, the Flight Store that supports No. 5 Squadron’s operation of the aircraft, couldn't move in.

“Everything I did in the lead-up to the P-8A hangar move was to make sure the team could get into the facility safely and on time,” she says. “We’d waited years. There was no way non-compliance was going to be the thing that held us back.”

Working closely with the Ministry of Defence, civil engineers, and a range of safety and compliance agencies, she coordinated modifications to site infrastructure, re-designed storage layouts, ensured compliant electrical fittings, shaped zoning and traffic markings, and developed new emergency response plans. She also produced site maps, hazard assessments, and training so the team understood the space from day one.

Her efforts significantly contributed to the facility meeting the full certification, enabling the Flight Store to move in and the Poseidon capability to begin operating efficiently, as soon as the doors opened.

“We were up and running in two days,” she says. “I’m so proud of the team. It was the most efficient move I’ve ever been part of.”

Originally from Whangārei and a former Whangārei Girls’ High School student, Sergeant McGovern joined the Air Force in 2009, after a short stint at university.

She has served widely across New Zealand and overseas, with her operational experience including large-scale exercises such as Pitch Black (2014), and deployments such as Operation Troy  in the Middle East, where she said working in such a busy role, alongside many other nations really helped grow her collaboration skills.

Despite the recognition, Sergeant McGovern is quick to shift the spotlight.

“It’s never just me. Everything we do is a team effort,” she says.

“Collaboration is huge for me. When everyone has buy-in, we can support the squadron no matter what – operations, maintenance, flying tasks, you name it.

“Every person in the Flight Store supply chain played a part. I just happened to be the one steering it.”

When Sergeant McGovern discovered no existing spill-response training suited their environment, she developed a bespoke hazardous-substances package now being shared with other units. For her, good safety practice is always practical, relevant, and led by people – not by paperwork.

Her approach to safety is simple: it’s not a tick-box exercise – safety is a team sport – it needs to be understood, owned, and shared by everyone.

Sergeant McGovern’s leadership, courage, and dedication exemplify the NZDF’s values of Tū Kaha – Courage, Tū Tika – Commitment, Tū Tira – Comradeship, and Tū Māia – Integrity.