College of Humanities and Social Sciences staff
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 - Massey University (2010)
Certifications and Registrations
- Licence, Supervisor, Massey University
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 Projects
Summary of Research Projects
| Position | Current | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Project Leader | 0 | 1 |
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., Hoverd, W.
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 | 1 | 1 |
| Co-supervisor | 2 | 1 |
Current Doctoral Supervision
Main Supervisor of:
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Tex Wright
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Doctor of Philosophy
NZSOF “In Extremis”: An Oral History of Individual and Operational Resilience within NZ Special Operations Forces 1985 - 2005
Co-supervisor of:
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Donna Carson
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Doctor of Philosophy
Extremism in Aotearoa NZ -
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’ 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...