Dr Warren Tucker

Director New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Warren Tucker was born in Lower Hutt, New Zealand, on 18 August 1950, and grew up in Nelson.

Warren was educated at Nelson College and the University of Canterbury. He graduated BE (Hons) and PhD (both in Electrical Engineering) in 1973 and 1978 respectively. After a brief spell with the Post Office, Warren joined the Royal New Zealand Army (RNZ Sigs) in 1979 as a specialist Defence communications systems planner. He retired from the Army in 1982 (with the rank of Major) and joined the GCSB as Assistant Director, COMSEC Engineering. In 1984 he was assigned to the position of Assistant Director Plans.

In January 1985 Warren was seconded to the National Security Agency in Washington as the first formally accredited New Zealand Liaison Officer (NZLOW). He returned to GCSB in September 1989 as Director, SIGINT Operations. On 1 July 1996 he was appointed Intelligence Coordinator in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Warren was appointed Director of the Government Communications Security Bureau with effect 13 December 1999.

On 1 November 2000 he was appointed Colonel Commandant of the Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals (with the rank of Honorary Colonel), a position he still holds. He took up the position as Director of Security, New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, on 1 November 2006.

Warren and his wife Pauline have five children ranging in age from 32 to 16, and several young grandchildren. In addition to reading and music (tastes - eclectic), he enjoys outdoor pursuits including walking and boating and his small farm with its large garden in the heart of the Wairarapa. He aspires to build fine furniture and small boats.