Andrew Berry

Old Collegian, Andrew Berry attended Saint Kentigern College from 1986-1990. Andrew’s career pathway since his College days has been one of outstanding achievements, humanity, honour and trust.

Recently Andrew has been praised in the media for his humanitarian work in Afghanistan whilst deployed with the Police in 2009. A father himself, Andrew took on the cause of a three year old boy who suffered from a cleft palate, raising enough money to enable him to have the surgery he needed for his survival. Without Andrew’s act of generosity, the constant risk of pneumonia from living in the high altitude mountains of Afghanistan would have ultimately sealed the young boy’s fate.

Following on from College life, Andrew completed a BSc in Zoology and an MSC (Hons.) in Marine Science at the University of Auckland. During his studies Andrew was responsible for Project Jonah's Auckland Whale Stranding team and for volunteers in Auckland, Northland and Nelson. His passion for marine mammals also saw him become a member of the Project Jonah National Board where during he was responsible for the training of volunteers. Andrew was also a Department of Conservation Ranger at Goat Island Marine Reserve, New Zealand’s first marine reserve established in 1975, as well as an Honorary Fisheries Officer for the Ministries of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Andrew then moved on to join the Police force where he remained for 13 years. He quickly rose up the ranks, achieving the position of Senior Sergeant at quite a young age. Prior to that role, Andrew also led teams at the Counties Manukau Child Abuse Team and the Mt Wellington Burglary Investigation Unit. Whilst a member of the CIB, he was acknowledged for taking the lead in Intelligence-led policing, his role in murder and serious crime investigations, and his compassion with victims and witnesses. He then went on and furthered his studies by completing an Executive MBA in 2008.

While working as Senior Sergeant and the Area Community Services Manager for Counties-Manukau (East) Police, in 2006 Andrew was successful in winning the Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leader Award. As part of his role, he led over thirty staff, initiating, maintaining and improving community relationships, and was responsible for the administrative management of the Otara Police Station. As part of his award, Andrew received a $10,000 scholarship to further his leadership work and was also given leadership mentoring. 

Since his award Andrew has remained an enthusiast of the Sir Peter Blake Trust, and in 2012 he joined the Young Blake Expedition to the Kermadec Islands as the Marine Operations Director.  His responsibilities as part of the crew, was to ensure the safety and whereabouts of 55 Young Blake Expedition members across a range of activities while at sea, including dolphin and shark tagging.

Andrew is currently the owner of a niche recruitment business.