About Allan Kinsella
Allan Kinsella was born in the artistic, cultural, and windy city of Wellington, New Zealand, on October 28, 1971. After living in several different places in New Zealand and overseas, he has found his home in the vibrant community of Porirua. He discovered his passion for academia and leadership early, evident during his years at Saint Patrick’s College, Silverstream (1985-1989). He enjoyed rugby, cricket, and the band performing arts at school and was on the school drama team. Driven by his love for history and economics, he pursued his education at the University of New South Wales, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts.
Military Services and Career Progression
Seeking challenges and something different besides a desk job, he joined the New Zealand Army in 1990. He was posted to the Australian Defence Force Academy from 1990 to 1992. His commitment to achieving something different was evident when he graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon, as a Lieutenant in the Royal New Zealand Artillery in 1993.
He served on operational tours with the United Nations in Sierra Leone in 1999 as the mission’s senior operations officer and in East Timor in 2002 as the New Zealand Deputy Battalion Commander. In Sierra Leone, he attended the Lome Peace talks held in Togo, where he played a crucial role in negotiating military aspects of the Lome Peace Accord. Alla also won the Distinguished Master Strategist award at United Staffs Command and General Staff Golle, Leavenworth, Kansas, in 2005 from a student body of 1050.
During his career, he was also involved in numerous civilian support operations, such as disaster relief during the Manawatu floods of 2004 and support to Police search operations. His military service not only developed his leadership, planning, and management skills but also set the base for his future strategic roles in management.
Academic Advancement
Allan never believed in resting on his laurels and continued towards academic excellence alongside his professional career. While working full time and as a father to a young family, he completed an MBA with Distinction from Massey University, showcasing his ability to manage large workloads and balance his life simultaneously. He furthered his executive leadership skills through the Cambridge University, United Kingdom Advanced Leadership Program.
Career in Government Service
In some ways, he followed in his father’s footsteps into service. His father, Owen, had a long and distinguished Fire Service career, and his brother, Paul, continues to serve in the Fire Service. Service runs in the family DNA. Harnessing the leadership, management, and planning skills he acquired in the military, he transitioned into the public sector. Traits developed in the military, such as resilience and the ability to operate and make decisions under intense pressure, set him up nicely for his next career. He started in project management roles and was rapidly promoted over three years to the position of Director Assurance at New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries.
His leadership contributions to serious issues management were evident during MPI’s responses to the 1080 infant formula threat and in verifying the primary industries operator’s adherence to COVID restrictions. He and his team were awarded the Supreme MPI Leadership Award for leadership and dedication during Covidard. His collaborative engagement and leadership style were instrumental in creating a highly engaged Directorate he currently leads. His proven ability to calmly deliver under pressure earned him appreciation and respect among his superiors and colleagues.
Personal Life
He met Jennifer Marks at a rugby game in 1997, and there was an immediate connection. He and Jennifer met again by coincidence at a wedding in Scotland in mid-1999. They both lived overseas then but were returning to Wellington, New Zealand, at the end of 1999. They reconnected in Wellington, and things went from there. He and Jennifer married on March 30, 2002, at Spring Creek Church, Blenheim. Just one month later, the Army deployed him on operational service to East Timor for seven months. This showcased not only his dedication to service but also that Jennifer was an incredibly patient and supportive wife.
Despite his professional obligations, Allan maintains an active lifestyle, keeping fit through running, swimming, and weights. His first love in a sporting sense has always been rugby. But injuries led to a transition into football, which he thoroughly enjoys for the friendship and camaraderie it provides. He spends his leisure time relaxing with friends and family, playing football, or watching his children participate in their sporting events. He enjoys dabbling in languages and is learning French and Spanish.
His wife, Jennifer, died after a four-year battle with myeloma, an incurable blood cancer, on August 11, 2023. He and Jennifer have two children, Emma and Cayden, born in 2006 and 2008, respectively.
Hobbies and Leisures: Fishing Enthusiast, Diver and Brewer
He developed a passion for fishing from an early age. His father introduced him to sea fishing at the wharves of Wellington when he was three years old, and this passion has stayed with him throughout his life. He loves being in, on, or under the sea. He is an avid sea fisherman who targets snapper and tuna when they are in season. He is equally at home with a fly rod on a river. His favorite river is the world-famous Tongariro. He appreciates the tranquility of the sea and rivers, finding them his ‘happy places’ to recharge his emotional and spiritual batteries.
He is now enjoying transferring his knowledge to his son Cayden, who caught his first snapper at three and has recently started to learn how to fly cast. He has been a member of the Mana Cruising Club for a decade.
Allan scuba and free dives, usually chasing rock lobster and paua (abalone). His favorite diving experience was cage diving with Great White Sharks in South Africa.
Not just a fishing and diving enthusiast, he also enjoys brewing beer, with a particular penchant for India Pale Ales. He is an all-grain brewer who makes his beers from scratch and loves experimenting with different hops and malts to create unique beers.
Charitable Works
He takes his role as a citizen seriously, regularly donating to charitable organizations such as the Salvation Army, Mary Potter Hospice, and the Wellington Children’s Hospital. With his wife, Jennifer, he supported Caring Families Aotearoa. His support of such causes mirrors his desire to cooperate to benefit society.
Allan Kinsella NZ has achieved much in his life and is determined to continue to work to benefit his family, friends, and society. Through his many roles – a military serviceman, government official, husband and father, sports enthusiast, or humble citizen- he has consistently demonstrated that hard work, dedication, and cooperation can drive an individual toward remarkable accomplishments.
