NetSafe Operation, New Zealand

Martin Cocker has been the executive director of the New Zealand NetSafe operation since March 2006. He joined NetSafe after 12 years in the IT industry, the last five of which he worked as a general manager for a company focused on ICT services within the schools sector.

NetSafe provides cybersafety education, lobbying and coordination in New Zealand. It was established as an independent organization in 1998 by representatives of the education sector, the law enforcement community, government, the legal fraternity (including the judiciary) and the ICT sector. The New Zealand experience provides a good model for countries considering establishing official cybersafety services. Information flows to NetSafe from its many members creating a balanced and practical approach to cybersafety education – but equally important, the NetSafe influence flows back through member agencies to the people of New Zealand.