Christchurch soldier takes on Gender Advisor role at Exercise Bersama Lima

More than 130 NZDF personnel have taken part in the major training activity, alongside personnel from Malaysia, Singapore, United Kingdom and Australia – the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) nations.

Twenty-five years ago, the United Nations Security Council recognised that while women and girls are often disproportionately affected by conflict, they also play an important role in creating lasting peace. This recognition became the foundation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, which encourages women’s participation in everything from conflict prevention to peacekeeping and recovery efforts. 

During Bersama Lima, Captain Bush’s role was to help participants understand how gender perspectives can improve operational planning and outcomes.

Her journey with the New Zealand Army began in her final year at Avonside Girls’ High School, when she attended a student work experience programme at Burnham Military Camp.

“I enlisted on the spot,” she says.

“The Army offered outdoor adventure, travel, and a career with purpose, and I’ve never looked back.”

As a Logistics Officer, Captain Bush plans and coordinates combat service support to other units, external agencies and communities, including during emergency response efforts. Over the years, she’s also learned to balance her professional role with motherhood, something she says has shaped her approach to leadership.

“As a working mum in Defence, I’ve been really well supported. That balance has helped me grow as a parent and as a leader, and it’s shaped the way I connect with and lead my teams.”

Captain Bush has travelled internationally with the NZDF before, including a humanitarian visit to Tuvalu for Exercise Tropic Twilight, but she says Bersama Lima presented new opportunities and challenges.

“Some of the participating nations hadn’t encountered gender perspectives in a military context before,” Captain Bush said.

“Being able to start those conversations and show how these ideas can be applied to planning was rewarding. A highlight was seeing ground forces discussing how they could adapt tactical tasks with a gender lens in mind. It showed how small changes can support both operational success and the principles of the WPS agenda.”

During the exercise, Captain Bush delivered training to ground forces, intelligence teams, and headquarters staff. She also developed practical tools and guidelines to help future Gender Advisors be integrated into planning from the outset - something she hopes will become standard practice.

Reflecting on her career, Captain Bush encouraged other women to consider the Defence Force. 

“There are so many opportunities. It’s a job where no two days are the same, and one where you can specialise, travel, and genuinely make a difference. Absolutely do it.”