
Andy George
Counter Terrorism Strategic Coordinator, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, New Zealand
2022
Andy has been the Counter-Terrorism Strategic Coordinator with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) since September 2019, leading New Zealand’s national system on all elements of the risk of terrorism and violent extremism. He is responsible for ensuring that the Government’s work on counter-terrorism is cohesive and aligned with the national Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism Strategy, including through developing and delivering the Counter-Terrorism Work Programme. Andy is the chair of New Zealand’s Counter-Terrorism Coordination Committee.
Prior to joining DPMC, Andy held the position of Head of the Combined Threat Assessment Group (CTAG), an inter-agency group responsible for assessing the terrorism threats to New Zealand and New Zealand’s interests.
Andy has 20 years’ experience working within the New Zealand and UK governments on national security issues. During his career he has carried out a wide variety of leadership, operational and liaison roles, undertaken several overseas deployments, and led significant organisational change programmes.
Andy holds an MA (Oxon) and BA (Hons) in Biological Science from Oxford University, UK. He is married, with two children. His interests include sport (in particular open water swimming and coaching cricket) and travel.
The Summit was more than empty words – it made clear that a solution-driven approach is the only way to fight hate. That’s why the working group activities, which are results driven are going to be critical in defeating violent extremism. The Summit brought together the best minds in government, private sector, academia, and civil society. Being surrounded by these experts sparked new ideas – some of which I’ve already implemented or have written about.

