Contact details +6492136181
Dr Rhys Ball BA, MSS, PhD
Senior Lecturer in Security Studies
Doctoral Supervisor School of People, Environment and PlanningIn the world of national security, intelligence is a growing area of study and career options. It can be an attractive and rewarding field, but often information about the discipline is not entirely accurate or skewed by misperceptions of the world of intelligence and security often incorrectly portrayed in films and television. Intelligence work in New Zealand can be a fantastically dynamic and attractive field of study as well as a particularly rewarding career.
Having spent a number of years as an intelligence officer, Rhys Ball is now applying his teaching and research interests as a lecturer in defence and security studies. Rhys says his papers examine current New Zealand and global security risks, the gathering and analysis of intelligence, the history of military and security intelligence and critical analysis of intelligence in investigations and detection. His research interests include intelligence studies and intelligence history, strategic studies and military history, in particular Special Forces history. Rhys has lived and worked in Wellington, London, Washington, Canberra and Dar el Salaam (Tanzania), before moving to Palmerston North.
Commenting frequently in the media on current issues regarding security and intelligence, Rhys is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Intelligence Professionals (NZIIP) and the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO). He enjoys contact with students including those he supervises in the Centre’s New Zealand Internship programme who undertake a real-world research project whilst being placed with a security agency. Rhys is also the Undergraduate Coordinator at the Centre for Defence and Security Studies.
Professional
Contact details
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Ph: 09 213 6181 (extn 43181)
Location: AT2.49, Atrium Tower Building
Campus: Albany
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts - University of Auckland (1991)
- Master of Strategic Studies - Victoria University (2006)
- Doctor of Philosophy - 羞羞视频 (2010)
Certifications and Registrations
- Licence, Supervisor, 羞羞视频
Research Expertise
Research Interests
New Zealand Special Forces History
New Zealand Special Operations Forces History/Policy
New Zealand during the Cold War
New Zealand Defence Policy during the Cold War
New Zealand Military Training/Advisors commitments offshore – past, present and future
New Zealand Intelligence and Security History
Intelligence and Security Studies
Future of Intelligence Policy in New Zealand
Future of Intelligence Operations in New Zealand
New Zealand Counter-Terrorism History
Thematics
21st Century Citizenship, Resource Development and Management, Health and Well-being
Area of Expertise
Field of research codes
Defence Studies (160604):
Historical Studies (210300):
History And Archaeology (210000):
International Relations (160607):
New Zealand History (210311):
Political Science (160600):
Studies In Human Society (160000)
Keywords
New Zealand Special Forces History
Intelligence and Security History
Intelligence and Security Studies
Research Outputs
Journal
[Journal article]Authored by: Ball, R.
[Journal article]Authored by: Ball, R.
[Journal article]Authored by: Ball, R., Nelson, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Ball, R., Carr, S., Hodgetts, D., Hopner, V., Jones, H., Nelson, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Ball, R.
[Journal article]Authored by: Ball, R., Carr, S., Hodgetts, D., Hopner, V., Nelson, N.Edited by: Ball, R., Carr, S., Hodgetts, D., Hopner, V., Nelson, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Ball, R.
[Journal article]Authored by: Ball, R.
[Journal article]Authored by: Ball, R.
[Journal article]Authored by: Ball, R.
[Book Review]Authored by: Ball, R.
[Journal article]Authored by: Ball, R.
Book
[Chapter]Authored by: Ball, R.
[Chapter]Authored by: Ball, R., Carr, S., Hodgetts, D., Hopner, V., Nelson, N.
[Discussion Paper]Authored by: Ball, R.
[Chapter]Authored by: Ball, R.
[Chapter]Authored by: Ball, R.
Conference
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Ball, R.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Ball, R.
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Ball, R.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Ball, R.
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Ball, R., Hodgetts, D., Hopner, V., Nelson, N.
Other
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Ball, R., Nelson, N., Rogers, D.
[Other]Authored by: Ball, R.
Teaching and Supervision
Summary of Doctoral Supervision
Position | Current | Completed |
---|---|---|
Main Supervisor | 2 | 1 |
Co-supervisor | 1 | 1 |
Current Doctoral Supervision
Main Supervisor of:
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Donna Carson
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Doctor of Philosophy
Extremism in Aotearoa NZ -
Tex Wright
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Doctor of Philosophy
NZSOF 鈥淚n Extremis鈥: An Oral History of Individual and Operational Resilience within NZ Special Operations Forces 1985 - 2005
Co-supervisor of:
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James Wood
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Doctor of Philosophy
The Strategic Significance of Civilians in Grey Zone Conflict
Completed Doctoral Supervision
Main Supervisor of:
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2021
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Miriam Wharton
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Doctor of Philosophy
"Paradoxical alchemy": An examination of the New Zealand Special Operations Forces鈥 relationships in key security networks
Co-supervisor of:
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2023
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Shaun Mawdsley
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Doctor of Philosophy
'Fighting Reputations ' Combat Effectiveness in the Western Desert Campaign: A Comparison of the 9th Australian and 2nd New Zealand Divisions, 1941-19
Media and Links
Media
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30 Nov 2014 - Online, Radio
Interview with Radio New Zealand
Security Issues: "Muslim community says it's unfairly targeted by terror bill" -
30 Nov 2014 - Radio, Online
Interview with Radio New Zealand
Intelligence Issues: "Former intelligence officer says terror bill 'proactive'" -
30 Nov 2014 - Radio, Online
Radio NZ Interview 'Sunday with Wallace Chapman'
Intelligence Issues:"Former intelligence officer says terror bill 'proactive'" -
29 Jan 2015 - Newspaper, Online
Interview with Dominion Post
Security Issues: "New Zealand passports targeted by criminals, terrorists" -
29 Apr 2013 - Newspaper, Online
Opinion Piece - Dominion Post Newspaper
Intelligence Commentary - "Yes to spies but the watchers do need watching" - view more...
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28 Jun 2013 - Newspaper, Online
Newspaper Opinion Piece - 'New Zealand Herald'
Intelligence Issues:"Spy-law changes are a necessary benefit" -
27 Jun 2013 - Online, Newspaper
Interview with Fairfax - 'Southland Times'
Security Issues:"Cyber-attacks on NZ 'rising' -
27 Jun 2013 - Radio
Radio Interview with RDU 98.5FM
The Wire - with Spanky Moore "Intelligence Issues in New Zealand" -
25 Sep 2014 - Newspaper, Online
Interview with National Business Review
Intelligence Issues: "Terror attacks in New Zealand 'may manifest' as vigilance continues, ex-SIS officer says" -
25 Oct 2015 - Newspaper, Online
Interview with Sunday Star Times
Intelligence Issues:"Spy-fighting tool helps defence staff spot foreign agents" -
25 Mar 2015 - Newspaper, Online
Dominion Post Op-Ed with Andrew Colarik
Intelligence Issues:"Review to cast light on high value of NZ intelligence networks" -
25 Aug 2016 - Online
Interview with German Online Newspaper 'Spiegel'
Security Issues:"Kim Dotcom soap opera plays on in New Zealand as US extradition goes to appeal" -
24 Apr 2017 - Newspaper, Online
Interview with National Business Review
Intelligence Issues:"Five Eyes meeting 鈥榮hows NZ pulling its weight,鈥 former SIS officer" -
23 Oct 2016 - Newspaper, Online
Interview with National Business Review
Security Issues:"Key 'not going to walk away' from defending NZ against terror" -
23 Oct 2014 - Online, Newspaper
Interview with National Business Review
Security Issues:"Key 'not going to walk away' from defending NZ against terror" -
21 Nov 2014 - Online, Newspaper
Interview with National Business Review
Security Issues: "Simple 'grassroots' terror attacks could threaten New Zealand, experts warn" -
21 Nov 2014 - Newspaper, Online
Interview with National Business Review
Security Issues: "鈥楯andalled jihadis鈥 a growing threat in NZ" -
21 Feb 2014 - Online, Radio
Interview withRadio NZ - 'Nine to Noon'
Intelligence Issues:"GCSB misreporting" -
21 Feb 2014 - Radio, Online
Interview with Radio New Zealand
Intelligence Issues: "Call for more detail on GCSB bungle" -
21 Apr 2017 - Television, Online
Television Interview with NewsHub 'The Project'
Intelligence Issues:"New Zealand should 鈥榯hink again鈥 on Five Eyes spy network 鈥 Nicky Hager" -
21 Apr 2017 - Radio, Online
Radio Interview with Newstalk ZB
Intelligence Issues:"Whistle-blowers on agenda at Five Eyes gathering in Queenstown" -
21 Apr 2014 - Television
Television Interview 'Native Affairs'
Military History: "The Veteran - Native Affairs" -
19 Sep 2014 - Newspaper, Online
Interview with National Business Review
Intelligence Issues: "Intel agencies are law-abiding but need to talk to public more 鈥 ex GCSB staffer" -
19 Sep 2014 - Newspaper, Online
Interview with National Business Review
Intelligence Issues: "Key鈥檚 politicisation of intelligence worrying, ex-GCSB officer" -
19 Sep 2014 - Newspaper, Online
Interview with National Business Review
Security Issues: "Balancing security with freedom a key issue for companies" -
19 Sep 2014 - Newspaper
Interview with National Business Review
Interview with National Business Review on Friday 19 September 鈥淚ntel Agencies are Law Abiding But Need to Talk With Public More 鈥 ex-GCSB Staffer鈥 -
19 May 2017 - Online
Newspaper Interview with Reuters
Intelligence Issues:"Spy agencies from 鈥楩ive eyes鈥 gather in New Zealand: PM, sources" -
17 Mar 2017 - Newspaper, Online
Interview with National Business Review
Intelligence Issues:"Massive CIA leak exposes danger of contractors" -
16 Dec 2014 - Newspaper, Online
Interview with National Business review
Security Issues:"After Sydney hostage drama, experts warn against being 'suckered into overreacting'" -
16 Apr 2013 - Online
羞羞视频 Release
Opinion Piece: "Defence specialist backs GCSB law change" -
12 Mar 2014 - Newspaper, Online
Interview with Fairfax Media
Security Issues:"VIPs bring big security planning" -
12 Mar 2014 - Radio, Online
Interview Comments With Radio New Zealand
Intelligence -Comment on GCSB being helped by NSA in shaping NZ law -
12 Mar 2014 - Radio, Online
Radio New Zealand Interview
Intelligence Issues: "GCSB dismisses whistleblower claims" -
12 Apr 2015 - Radio
Radio NZ Panel Discussion
Intelligence Issues:"Spying on ourselves - A panel discussion with former Green MP Keith Locke and Kathleen Kuehn is a Victoria University -
07 May 2013 - Radio, Online
Interview with Radio New Zealand
Intelligence Issues:"Spy Bill to be debated this week" -
06 Sep 2015 - Radio, Online
Interview with Radio New Zealand
Intelligence Issues:"SIS publicises security breach case studies" -
06 Sep 2015 - Newspaper, Online
Interview ith Dominion Post
Intelligence Issues:"Foreign spies wine, dine and bug Kiwi diplomats" -
06 Nov 2015 - Newspaper, Online
Interview with National Business Review
Security Issues:"NZ security threats 'changing dramatically,' Key says" -
06 Mar 2015 - Newspaper, Online
Interview with National Business Review
Intelligence Issues:"'Some hassle' to NZ business following GCSB spying" -
04 Jun 2015 - Newspaper, Online
Interview with National Business Review
Intelligence Issues:"New spy bill won鈥檛 hurt GCSB collection" -
04 Aug 2013 - Radio, Online
Interview With Radio NZ - 'Ideas for 4'
Intelligence Issues:"Former SIS officer turned academic Dr Rhys Ball talks to Chris Laidlaw about the pros and cons of the state spying on its citizens -
03 Aug 2013 - Newspaper, Online
Interview with Dominion Post
Intelligence Issues:"Kiwis seek reassurance on state surveillance" - view less...