ILLEGAL FISHING TARGETED - New Zealand Defence Force
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# 2 6 1 SAILOR OF D THE YEAR 2021 E C HMNZS MATATAUA 2 IN ICELAND 1 HOMEPORT APP WINS AWARD ILLEGAL FISHING TARGETED
Contents 04 Sailor of the Year 20 Crossing the line in pictures 07 On patrol in the Pacific 24 Recollections from the first ENDEAVOUR 10 HMNZS MATATAUA in Iceland 32 Crossed the Bar 14 Navy’s HomePort wins award 35 15 Rounds 17 Navy graduate earns wings “ I’ve always had supportive people around me and I feel like any challenges have been achievable because of the support I’ve had.” –L eading Marine Technician (Propulsion) Jemma Hokai-Mataia, Sailor of the Year 04 07 24 Navy Today is the official magazine Contributions are welcomed, of the Royal New Zealand Navy. including stories, photographs and Established to inform, inspire letters. Please submit stories and and entertain serving and former letters by email in Microsoft Word members of the RNZN, their or the body of an email. Articles up families, friends and the wider to 500 words welcomed, longer Navy Community. if required by the subject. Please consult the editor about long articles. Published by: Digital photos submitted by email Defence Public Affairs also welcomed, at least 500kb HQ NZ Defence Force preferred. Stories published in Wellington, New Zealand Navy Today cannot be published elsewhere without permission. Editor: NZNavy navy.mil.nz Andrew Bonallack Copy deadline is the 15th of the Email: navytoday@nzdf.mil.nz month for the following issue. Subject to change. Design and Layout: Defence Public Affairs Views expressed in Navy Today Front cover: NZDefenceForce are not necessarily those of the A SH-2G(I) Seasprite lands Printed by: onboard HMNZS WELLINGTON RNZN or the NZDF. Bluestar after conducting flight training and Private Bag 39996, Wellington Defence Careers: manoeuvres at sea. Phone: 0800 1FORCE Distribution: (0800 136 723) Photographer: Email: navytoday@nzdf.mil.nz www.defencecareers.mil.nz CPL Dillon Anderson Changing Address? To join or leave our mailing list, please contact: Email: navytoday@nzdf.mil.nz 2 | Navy Today #261
Yours Aye Chief of the Navy Rear Admiral David Proctor Chief of Navy As 2021 draws to a close, I am mindful have spent a relatively long period of partners around the world, representing it has been a year characterised by time at sea in recent months where you Aotearoa/New Zealand at the very unique challenges and much sacrifice by have directly contributed to regional highest level. Iwi Heramana you should sailors and their whānau. I am especially stability and security through tasks be proud of what you have achieved; aware of the hardships faced by those such as delivery of vaccines and the I thank you for your service. overseas and the majority of the Navy patrol of our partners’ EEZs. families who reside in Auckland. I thank As I look ahead to 2022, I see a year of Your current task will, once again, new opportunities for ships and sailors you for what you have done in response demonstrate our commitment to to get to sea and deploy through the to the pandemic. regional peace and stability by Pacific and wider. I see a year where Balanced against the many challenges, reassuring the people of the Solomon we focus on strengthening our culture 2021 has also been a year where we Islands by being a visible presence. through the leadership and work of the have seen our ships and sailors doing I know you will maintain this operational Maritime Culture Guardianship Board, much mahi in and around New Zealand, mindset by maintaining a readiness to and that of every sailor, while also in the Pacific, and wider around the respond to emergent tasking. applying effort in our chosen specialist globe, returning to places we have not areas, and of course continue our I also wish to acknowledge the support operated in for a number of years. From necessary leadership training. And while provided to you all by our friends and Iceland, to the Middle East, to South East COVID-19 will not go away, we are now whānau at home. This is, more than Asia, to Canada, with our South West in a very different position to where we ever, at the forefront of our minds at Pacific neighbours and friends, and many were 12 months ago. I am committed to this time of year as we look towards other places in between, we have seen us developing ways whereby we can get the festive period. Your continued teams of sailors serving as outstanding back to using sport and team activities devotion to duty at this time is greatly ambassadors of Aotearoa. as a critical enabler to building crew appreciated and I wish you all every And of course, the year is not finished success for the coming weeks. cohesion and operational preparedness. and the tasking continues. As I type this We can manage the risk… risk is our job, Albeit targeted to WELLINGTON, I note it is what we do every day. Fun is also our Yours Aye article, HMNZS WELLINGTON the message could apply equally to all job… it should be what we do every day. is arriving on station in the Solomon sailors who have been required to serve Let’s get after it in 2022!! Islands. At the request of the Solomon away from home this year. Your duty has Islands’ government, WELLINGTON has As I reread the above, a whakatauki helped others. been deployed to provide support and perhaps best captures my thinking; a stability presence. This operation was Regards ‘duty and service’, I am not planned and I regret the short notice immensely proud of the security and “he moana pukepuke e ekengia e te that will have upset the plans of her crew military effect Te Taua Moana o Aotearoa waka” – a choppy sea can be navigated. and whānau. has provided in 2021. Notwithstanding It has been a challenging year, however, the testing environment, the Royal Below I repeat the message sent by through the professionalism of you, the New Zealand Navy has undoubtedly the Maritime Component Commander, people of Te Taua Moana o Aotearoa, delivered its mission and “advanced Commodore Garin Golding, RNZN, to the and the support of our families and wider New Zealand’s interests from the sea”. ship as she departed Devonport: iwi heramana, we have achieved much To you, my comrades, through your and are in a great position to advance As you make way towards the Solomon efforts and professionalism you have confidently into 2022 – a year where Islands I wanted to thank each and brought great credit to the Navy and I encourage a focus on ourselves as every one of you for the professional, delivered security and confidence naval professionals, on regenerating our timely and proactive approach I to Kiwis during a time of fear and naval capability… and fun, lots of fun! have witnessed in response to this uncertainty. You have also contributed emergent task. I acknowledge that you security and stability to our friends and He heramana ahau Navy Today #261 | 3
“You learn a lot about yourself, and it challenges the way you think. I enjoy hearing different perspectives from others.” 4 | Navy Today #261
SAILOR OF THE YEAR SAILOR OF THE YEAR LMT(P) Jemma Hokai-Mataia Recruit Training Squadron Instructor – Fleet Personnel and Training Leading Marine Technician (Propulsion) Jemma Hokai-Mataia enjoys both the challenges and diversity that come with being a sailor in the Royal New Zealand Navy. Now, as the Sailor of the Year for 2021, she’ll be a voice for junior sailors and drive initiatives on their behalf. She says the nomination and eventual “I didn’t know much about marine She says instructing is challenging, award came out of the blue. “It’s engineering to begin with, but I but in a good way. “You learn a lot daunting, but I’m excited,” she says. thought the trade looked interesting about yourself, and it challenges the when I read about it. I’ve really enjoyed way you think. I enjoy hearing different Each year the award is given to a my roles as a marine technician.” perspectives from others.” junior sailor who takes action to make a significant and positive contribution After Basic Common Training and her Her biggest challenge in her career to the RNZN and New Zealand trade training she posted to HMNZS is similar to many others – COVID-19. Defence Force, and who personifies CANTERBURY and has been involved “There was a lot of uncertainty around the core values of the service. in Humanitarian and Disaster Aid COVID when we were on ship. But Relief missions to the Pacific Islands. we were looked after pretty well. I’ve Originally from Auckland, LMT(P) Posting to frigate HMNZS TE KAHA, always had supportive people around Hokai-Mataia joined the Navy in 2013, she helped deliver the ship to Canada me and I feel like any challenges two weeks after her 17th birthday. and did two postings in support of the have been achievable because of the “My dad told me to get a trade, to ship’s Frigate Systems Upgrade. support I’ve had.” have something to fall back on. I saw the Navy as a good opportunity to She is currently operating “out of provide a trade, and my family was branch” as a Recruit Training School very supportive”. (RTS) instructor for the Basic Common Trainees. Her Sailor of the Year citation praises her work ethic with the recruits, describing her as an “exceptional leader… a passionate, well-respected and influential instructor, composed at all times”. Navy Today #261 | 5
UNITED STATES NAVY ARRIVES There’s nothing like he had been talking up the port visit. “New Zealand is an amazing HOWARD had at least 14 days’ isolation at sea prior to her arrival in a blustery northerly country and an amazing partner. I’m very excited to represent Wellington, and all crew had to have tested negative for COVID-19 before to welcome a foreign the United States Navy and the 7th Fleet here and we are very disembarking, as well as being fully vaccinated. ship to Wellington. much looking forward to it.” She is the same class of ship as USS HOWARD’s visit to Wellington is SAMPSON, which came to the Royal Escorted by HMNZS TAUPO, Arleigh a routine port visit, typical of the New Zealand Navy’s 75th Anniversary Burke-class destroyer USS HOWARD movements of a US Navy ship in the and International Naval Review in arrived in Wellington on Friday 26 Indo-Pacific. “It’s a visible sign of 2016. During that visit, SAMPSON November, the first United States commitment to our allies, partners became involved in the combined Navy vessel to visit New Zealand in and friends. We do our best work task force response to the Kaikōura five years. working alongside those allies, earthquake. partners and friends and it enables HOWARD had already put in some Rear Admiral David Proctor, Chief of us the opportunity to conduct time with the Royal New Zealand Navy, said the New Zealand Defence interoperability events, like with Navy near Great Barrier Island earlier Force and the US Navy have a long refuelling with the New Zealand oiler in the week, conducting a two-hour history of engagement and working just a couple of days ago.” replenishment-at-sea evolution with together. “The latest example of HMNZS AOTEAROA to top up her He said AOTEAROA was a which was the interaction by HMNZS tanks. The two ships also practised “fantastic” ship and the crew were TE KAHA and HMNZS AOTEAROA Replenishment at Sea approaches exceptionally professional. “The with US Navy and other partners’ and Officer of the Watch manoeuvres event was absolutely seamless, and ships off Guam.” (See Navy Today as training for both crews. they were kind enough to give us October). some additional time afterwards Of the entire crew, only her to run practice runs. We were very Commanding Officer, Commander honoured to have an opportunity to Travis Montplaisir, had been to work with them.” Wellington before. He told reporters 6 | Navy Today #261
STRONG MESSAGE TO ILLEGAL FISHERS New Zealand’s contribution to the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Pacific is something the Royal New Zealand Navy takes seriously, even in pandemic times. Navy Today #261 | 7
Last month HMNZS WELLINGTON undertook a maritime resource border protection operation in the Western “The quotas and rules that the FFA have in place are there for a reason, WELLINGTON’s work included coordinated patrols with the Republic Pacific, running from ensuring the fisheries are managed effectively for future generations. The of Fiji Navy’s Guardian-class patrol boat SAVENACA. Commanding 8 to 30 November. New Zealand Defence Force has the capability to assist the FFA and our Officer of WELLINGTON, Lieutenant Commander Philip Davies, said Pacific neighbours to maintain and although there was no opportunity to The patrols, coordinated with the uphold those rules.” interact with the crew at a personal nations of Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu level, the ships operating together and Tokelau, were backed up with No boardings of foreign fishing provided the chance to practise aerial surveillance using an embarked vessels were carried out, to ensure communicating through various SH-2G(I) Seasprite helicopter and a a contactless mission, but the crew means and manoeuvring while in P-3K2 Orion from No. 5 Squadron. monitored and recorded activity. close proximity. Twenty-four vessels from a range It’s an important job in support of of countries were identified in the “These skills are important when the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), we may be called on to assist in Agency (FFA), says Commander Joint high seas corridors and high seas a response to a natural disaster. Forces New Zealand Rear Admiral pockets, and were reported to the Coordinated patrols also demonstrate Jim Gilmour. relevant authorities. New Zealand’s commitment to combatting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the region.” 8 | Navy Today #261
ON PATROL IN THE PACIFIC Within days of returning from fisheries patrols, HMNZS WELLINGTON and her Ship’s Company departed for the Solomon Islands on December 6, to support New Zealand’s stability and security mission. She is part of the NZ government response to a formal request for assistance from the Solomon Islands Government following civil unrest in the country. NZ Army and NZ Police left earlier on Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft. “2021 has definitely showcased the ‘workhorse’ nature of a Royal New Zealand Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel, even in a pandemic,” says LTCDR Davies. “We have delivered scientists to the Kermadec Islands, travelled thousands of nautical miles to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to the Pacific, and we’ve only just returned from fisheries patrol duty in the Western Pacific. This operation to the Solomon Islands, in support of the maintenance of peace and stability, is what our Ship’s Company is trained, equipped and ready to do, and we are proud to be assisting.” Navy Today #261 | 9
Defeating the Device You can’t deploy much further than Iceland. Navy Today catches up with the divers at Exercise Northern Challenge. 10 | Navy Today #261
HMNZS MATATAUA IN ICELAND It’s a first for the Royal New Zealand The focus of the exercise is on the processes, extremely well-thought-out Navy – having a team at NATO’s operator, aiming to sharpen their Standard Operating Procedures.” premier Improvised Explosive Device technical skills to effectively neutralise Some tasks would involve land-based Disposal (IEDD) exercise held in devices in scenarios that become devices, but most were in the water. Iceland over a three-week period. increasingly complex and reflect real- Actors were used as ‘witnesses’, world situations or challenges. The annual Exercise Northern people who had seen a device and Challenge, hosted at the Icelandic “The team leader will get the tasking, were reporting it to authorities, and Coast Guard facility in Keflavik, involves and the MEOD team will go out to the the MATATAUA MEOD operators around 17 countries coming together to Area of Operation, do the work, while would have to question them to try practise responding to real-life terrorist directing staff are there, assessing. and get an idea of what they faced. incidents involving improvised and Each evening, all the directing staff Able Diver Jamie Bell says the high- military explosive devices. will go off, and critique what they threat environment was a big learning saw. It’s about constant evaluation Petty Officer Diver Luke Leadbetter, curve, with other nations having more and improvement.” For this exercise HMNZS MATATAUA, says the Navy experience than New Zealand. “We PODR Leadbetter was deployed as have been sending one or two people got on with it. A lot of the NATO guys one of the directing staff. each year in a directing staff role, but were happy to share their tips and this time nine personnel, including a In other Explosive Ordnance tricks, which was quite cool. We’ll medic, logistics supply specialist and Disposal (EOD) exercises there are take this back to New Zealand. It was five operators, were able to attend as other elements at play, including great to be part of the first team from part of a Maritime Explosive Ordnance networking with other non-EOD units New Zealand to go.” Disposal (MEOD) Team. and practising communication and PODR Leadbetter says New Zealand integration. “But this is purely about MATATAUA’s Clearance Divers are did well at Northern Challenge. “When the operator. This is real stuff. You’ve the only trade in the New Zealand the assessors sit down at night, going got IED’s with technical switches, Defence Force that conducts maritime over what went well and what didn’t, wi-fi armed, radio activated, all sorts ordnance disposal. you get a gauge of where we stand in of things. Every device they have to the world. New Zealand was getting “Those years we’ve been sending defeat, is a device that has been used really good feedback, and we can be people as directing staff, that’s allowed in anger somewhere in the world. It’s really proud of where we stand. We us to get a foot in the door. It’s about happened before. Our job is to solve know we could be a real asset for our half a decade of groundwork to get to the puzzle. If you have to do this for allies. We’ve proven we can do this, this point.” real, there’s no space for making and definitely left Iceland with our mistakes. But we have very good heads held high.” Navy Today #261 | 11
AROUND SEA TRIALS THE FLEET CONCLUDED HMNZS TE MANA In late November in Esquimalt, Canada, TE MANA’s sea acceptance trials period concluded, marking yet another milestone in the Ship’s Frigate Systems Upgrade story. Ahead are more sea training weeks, including a short passage to Seattle, as the ship and her company prepare for the passage to New Zealand early next year. WELCOME HOME HMNZS CANTERBURY Sporting a very nice paint job is HMNZS CANTERBURY, captured by Navy photographer PO Chris Weissenborn on her arrival back in New Zealand on 23 November. CANTERBURY has been in Singapore since August, undertaking her 15-year survey and docking maintenance. The work included new underwater hull coatings, removal and maintenance of the propeller shafts, rubber stocks and underwater valves. The side and stern ramps were removed for overhaul and the topsides and shell plating received a new paint scheme. Ahead is a modernisation of the Embarked Forces’ heads and bathrooms, and the replacement of the galley floor. 12 | Navy Today #261
AROUND THE FLEET MAINTENANCE TICKED OFF HMNZS MANAWANUI HMNZS MANAWANUI eased out of the Calliope drydock on 16 November, following a three- month maintenance period. 2022 will be a busy year for MANAWANUI as she implements training at sea, including crane operations and Maritime Explosive Ordnance Disposal training. SYDNEY HMNZS TE KAHA Snapped by Navy enthusiast Chris Sattler, HMNZS TE KAHA is looking sharp as she enters Sydney Harbour on 15 November. The Australian stop was near the end of an Operation Crucible deployment that included joining the UK Carrier Strike Group and Exercise Bersama Gold with the Five Power Defence Arrangements partners in Singapore. Navy Today #261 | 13
HOMEPORT NAV Y MOBILE APP SAILS OFF WITH INNOVATION AWARD From left, Scott Sargentina, Public HomePort, the mobile app designed contact details for base welfare Affairs Manager – Navy; Grace Poole, to give Royal New Zealand Navy support, career guidance and even Navy Information Manager; Russell personnel immediate access to the how to tie a cap tally. HomePort also Martin, Navy Portfolio Manager; CAPT Shane Arndell, Assistant Chief administrative information, processes allows for important notifications to of Navy – Delivery. and regulations they need to know be transmitted direct to registered for their role, has been awarded users, as well as displaying the Navy’s New Zealand Defence Force Facebook page. Innovation of the Year. Only six months after launch of The app replicates the detailed HomePort, two-thirds of Navy information contained in the Navy personnel have downloaded the app Divisional Handbook and makes it and more are registering each week. available as a downloadable app that Further enhancements to the app are all personnel can access 24/7. planned to ensure that HomePort is constantly evolving and providing the The idea for the app came from a functionality and value that personnel workshop three years ago when are looking for. problems over access to important administrative information were raised. The Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Proctor, has been a key supporter of “The feedback that drove the project the HomePort project from the start was that no sailor is going to carry as he wanted to remove the hurdle of around a weighty divisional handbook,” sailors getting the information they said Russell Martin, Navy’s Portfolio needed. He was impressed that the Manager. “Many junior sailors don’t idea for a Navy tool came from the have regular internal online access Navy itself. to find the information they need. But they all have mobile phones and “Innovation doesn’t just come from they all use apps. This is where the international think tanks or idea HomePort app idea was born.” incubators. In HomePort’s case, it has come from sailors who simply asked Now sailors can access almost ‘can we do better?’ Three years later, everything they need to know about and with a lot of effort from a lot of their Navy, when and where they people, we can say ‘yes we can and need it. Resettlement assistance, yes we have’. Receiving the NZDF leave queries, financial advice, urgent Innovation Award is testament to that.” 14 | Navy Today #261
DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A TANGIBLE CONTRIBUTION TO SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THE NAV Y? TAKE ACTION NOW TO GUIDE THE NEXT GENERATION OF TALENT INTO THE RANKS Our future workforce needs help LIFE OF A NAVY RECRUITER navigating the journey from civilian to sailor and Navy recruiters are at the Your day will be focused around forefront of our engagement. It’s a achieving two objectives; rewarding job, adding tangible value • Attracting candidates with a real sense of purpose. And • Processing candidates there is nothing like the feeling of pride Day-to-day your role will vary based on in seeing your recruits graduate as which objective you are working on sailors in the Royal New Zealand Navy. Attracting candidates includes: You’ll also directly influence your • Conducting experience events trade by raising awareness of the on bases, including Defence HOW DO I APPLY? opportunities available and mentoring Careers Experiences and Defence high quality recruits through the Required rank: PO or CPO Experience Days; application process. • Visiting local high schools; Application Process: Talk to your • Attending careers expos and other career manager. Potential recruiters engagement events; are interviewed by our staff to determine their suitability. You will be • Navy trade-specific engagement; “If you ever wanted a • Career advice and guidance; required to work autonomously, handle private information discreetly, and role, where you can • Anything that involves interacting engage with young people in schools influence and your own with the public. and the community. personal experience is • Processing candidates includes: For enquiries into becoming a valued then recruiting • Supervising recruit fitness testing; recruiter, please email: is it. An awesome • Conducting one-on-one interviews W/O Carol Voshaar, Recruiting opportunity to with candidates; Organisation Warrant Officer: carol.voshaar@nzdf.mil.nz showcase your learned • Completing reports and skills and passions to documentation; For those interested in upcoming the next generation.” • Assisting future sailors through the recruiting events, please email your respective Regional Recruiting Officer: application journey; LT Nathan Atkinson RNZN • Providing one-on-one support to Northern: recruits for your trade. defencecareersnorthern@nzdf.mil.nz Central: WHY SHOULD I APPLY? defencecareerscentral@nzdf.mil.nz The perks: Southern: • High degree of trust and freedom to defencecareerssouth@nzdf.mil.nz achieve your objectives • Flexible work schedule • See tangible results for your efforts NOT KEEN TO JUMP IN FULL TIME? • Opportunities to engage with the NZ public outside of main centres You can represent your trade in your • Working in a tri-service environment local community by signing up to the Recruiting Ambassador Programme The challenges: (link located at the bottom of the ILP • Will need to work outside of Homepage). traditional work hours (some evenings and weekends) however, • You will accrue time in lieu • Fair amount of travel • You’ll be provided with a work phone, laptop and vehicle and have a chance to see the country! Navy Today #261 | 15
SAILOR AWARDED FOR EFFORTS TOWARDS INCLUSIVENESS Commander Trevor One that values whanaungatanga (the building of relationships), ako programme the Navy has received several expressions of interest from Leslie has been (learning) and growing Te Reo Māori capability and connection through women across the NZDF wanting to undertake the next professional diver awarded the NZDF’s creating diving-specific haka, waiata and karakia. transfer course. CDR Leslie has been in the Navy Peter Rule Inclusion CDR Leslie has also made efforts since 1986, qualifying as a Navy Diver to increase gender diversity within soon after joining. Since then, diving, Award for 2021. the Navy divers. He championed a explosive ordnance disposal and mine mentoring programme for women clearance has been the bulk of his The annual award recognises interested in military diving, facilitated Navy career. New Zealand Defence Force the commissioning of an academic CDR Leslie is pleased to accept the personnel who have made a study to support female recruitment award, but says the success is not positive contribution to diversity and selection strategies, established his own. and inclusion in the workplace, and diving representation on the Gender CDR Leslie as Head of Trade for Advisory Board, and initiated projects “While I may have set the tone and the Royal New Zealand Navy Dive aimed at delivering more gender- conditions for a positive diversity Team impressed the judges with his appropriate diving equipment and and inclusion culture, the success commitment to improving the culture systems utilising technology and can be attributed to all the personnel and gender diversity amongst the lightweight composite solutions. within the RNZN Diving Trade who RNZN Diving Trade. have fully embraced the programmes His leadership and advocacy is already and initiatives and turned them into As Head of Trade for the Navy Divers, achieving results with the last RNZN positive action.” CDR Leslie instigated a programme Defence Diver Couse (graduating for divers built around Te Ao Māori in June 2021) passing three female The award honours a pilot whose that aims to grow a positive, inclusive students, which was 50 per cent of distinguished 20-year career was and high performing culture for divers. the course. Through his mentorship ended in 1975 because of his sexuality. 16 | Navy Today #261
NAVY GRADUATE EARNS WINGS MILESTONE TICKED FOR NAVY PILOT There’s pride, there’s He’s earned his brevet on the T-6C Texan II fixed-wing trainer, operated He says the ‘Wings’ course is tough. “You’re going to struggle at some point excitement and by No. 14 Squadron. The ultimate destination for a Navy pilot is the – we all struggled at different bits, but we all had each other’s backs, and there’s an entire Seasprite SH-2G(I) helicopter, operated by No. 6 Squadron in we helped out as much as possible. Camaraderie is really strong.” future to look forward Whenuapai, so his next step is the six-month conversion course to rotary His training has to take a short pause to. But most of all, it’s flight, on the Air Force’s A109. as he takes his turn with Operation Protect, the NZDF’s support to ENS Debenham says he has always a massive relief to aspired to be a military pilot since he the Managed Isolation Facilities in New Zealand. He’s now doing a six- was young, when his late grandfather graduate, says our took him to air shows at the now- week rotation as a Managed Isolation Facility assistant at the M Social hotel retired Wigram Air Force Base. He newest Navy pilot. studied engineering at the University in Auckland. of Canterbury in 2018 before being “There’s a while to go, but I’m accepted as a pilot. looking forward to getting out on Ensign Andre Debenham, 22, from Christchurch, was awarded his pilot’s operations with No. 6 Squadron. “I applied for both Navy and Air Force. brevet at the graduation of the 20/01 It will be really cool.” I was really keen to fly helicopters and ‘Wings’ Course at Ohakea last month. I was open to either option. I got the If he was to give a pep talk at his old He was among eight pilots graduating, job offer from the Navy and thought, school, Cashmere High, he would tell including five Air Force and two Royal let’s go.” people it’s challenging. “You might Australian Navy pilots, from the Flying think, you aren’t good enough. But if Training Wing at Ohakea. Prior to the ‘Wings’ course, ENS you want it enough, do your research Debenham undertook the 22-week “It was a long 18 months,” says ENS and give it 100 per cent. It’s worked for Junior Officer Common Training Debenham, “and it’s a massive relief me so far.” (JOCT) course in Auckland. “I at the end of it. It was definitely one did JOCT 19/02, just before the of the hardest things I’ve ever done lockdowns. It was a real eye-opener – although I feel like anything I do into Navy culture and a great from now is probably going to be the experience to be trained in Navy hardest thing I’ve done.” leadership.” Navy Today #261 | 17
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3 OUR PEOPLE 1. Sailors promoted and awarded aboard HMNZS TE MANA. From left, LSCS Tema Viliamu (promoted); ACSS Renee Lawton (awarded her first Good 6 7 Conduct Badge); LSCS William Smart (awarded his third GCB); LCSS Epoki Sakisi (awarded his second GCB). 2. SLT Shannen McErlain receives a Commanding Officer’s commendation from CDR Alastair Howieson, HMNZS WAKEFIELD. 3. LT Maddy Win, HMNZS WELLINGTON’s Engineering Officer, catches up on paperwork during Operation Calypso. 4. RADM David Proctor, Chief of Navy, with the Commanding Officer of visiting US Navy destroyer USS HOWARD, CDR Travis Montplaisir. 5. From left, ACWS Briar Miller (Scott Base Comms Op), LMED Max Neustroski (Scott Base Comms Op) and ALSS Jana Ebbett (McMurdo Logistics General Assistant), deployed to Scott Base as part of Operation Antarctica. 10 6. It’s early days for the Movember moustache for trainee OMED Matthew Shore, BCT 21/2. 7. MID Aaron Barron puts in the hard work for Bellona Division during JOCT 21/2’s Efficiency Cup trial. 8. A/CDRE Shane Arndell, Deputy Chief of Navy, stands with AM Kevin Short (right), Chief of Defence Force, following A/CDRE Arndell’s promotion. 9. LSTD Daniel Hill sets the table in the wardroom of HMNZS WELLINGTON during their Operation Calypso mission. 10. JOCT 21/2’s Bellona and Royalist Divisions get ready to go head-to-head for the honour of the Efficiency Cup. 11. HMNZS TE KAHA’s Ship’s Company form a ‘gumboot’ on the flight deck in support of Gumboot Friday, a charitable trust that helps support 12 13 young New Zealanders with depression. The crew raised $2,429.14, topped up by the Ship’s Welfare Committee to reach $6,000 donated. 12. CPOLSS Ben Owens, HMNZS TE MANA, receives a Commanding Officer’s commendation from CDR Mike Peebles for “ongoing outstanding work” during the ship’s Frigate Systems Upgrade. 13. POSCS Thomas Katu entertains his shipmates in his messdeck in HMNZS WELLINGTON. Navy Today #261 | 19
When a Navy vessel crosses the Equator, it can prompt a ‘Crossing the Line’ ceremony, a lively Navy initiation not often photographed. LWT Isaac Inwood- Reardon gives us an insight during HMNZS TE KAHA’s deployment in South East Asia. 20 | Navy Today #261
CROSSING THE LINE IN PICTURES Navy Today #261 | 21
The honour of crossing the equator, The event is designed as a break in and being inducted into the realm of routine and a hilarious morning of King Neptune and forever labelled a enjoyment and levity. trusty ‘Shellback’, is not given lightly A Golden Shellback is a sailor who to ‘Tadpoles’ – those who have never has crossed the equator where it had the honour. intersects with the International And so, on the morning HMNZS Date Line in the Pacific Ocean. Last TE KAHA crossed the Equator during year the Ship’s Company of HMNZS her Operation Crucible deployment, MANAWANUI earned the honour King Neptune – and his assistant, during their deployment to Rim of the Davy Jones – held court in his throne Pacific Exercise in Hawaii. Even rarer on the flight deck while his ‘Bears’ is an Emerald Shellback, a sailor who rounded up the Tadpoles summoned crossed the equator at the Prime to appear and be initiated. Meridian in the Gulf of Guinea near west Africa. Usually the Tadpoles are facing a serious charge – presuming to cross LWT Inwood-Reardon, already the line without seeking the consent initiated to the Order of Shellbacks, of King Neptune. The speeches are was able to document the event, grandiose, the costumes and props taking over 400 photographs. are elaborate, and the rituals of the “Crossing the line ceremonies are not lively and rough ceremony are steeped usually documented, and when they in history. The Tadpoles are expected are, there are very few photos of the to be reluctantly hauled before the event taken or released. So to have court, endure various indignities such this many photos vetted and released as being covered in muck, hosed to the Ship’s Company is not common. down and made to lie prostate before The photos were well received!” the King, before being dunked in salt water – the final baptism into the Ancient Order of the Deep. 22 | Navy Today #261
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR ‘WELLNESS’ SUPPORTER NAMED DEFENCE VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR An Auckland naval reservist who developed a charity dedicated to the trauma of first responders has been chosen as the New Zealand Defence Force Volunteer of the Year. Able Musician Rebecca Nelson, who A recent boost for the charity “I’m still singing at events, but that’s joined the Royal New Zealand Navy came from former All Black Sir currently on hold right now because Volunteer Reserve as a part-time Buck Shelford, competing in the of COVID. The Te Kiwi Māia work is vocalist in 2014, has created Te Kiwi TV programme Celebrity Treasure getting so much bigger, and there’s Māia (The Courageous Kiwi). Island. Shelford, a former Navy sailor, so many people involved. There’s an pledged his winnings from the show to amazing advisory board, helping with Its objective is to provide rehabilitation, Te Kiwi Māia. the growth and decision-making, recovery and respite to New Zealand and we wouldn’t be able to do what Defence Force personnel and first AMUS Nelson, who is attached to we do without them. I don’t see responders, who – as a result of their Reserve Unit HMNZS NGAPONA, the success of Te Kiwi Maia as a role in safeguarding and caring for says she still hasn’t taken in the news goal in its own right – it’s about the New Zealanders – have physical or of winning the NZDF award properly. mutual success of all organisations psychological injuries. “You don’t always get thanked as in ensuring the wellbeing of all those a volunteer, so it’s wonderful to be AMUS Nelson has a close friend who who put themselves at risk for other acknowledged.” She is aware of suffered from depression after being New Zealanders.” how many people – Defence Force, medically discharged from the Royal veterans and first responders – would She isn’t able to share future plans at Marines due to a back injury. Her potentially have need of the charity; present, but says 2022 will be a “huge” friend’s journey to recovery involved it’s something she carries with her as year for Te Kiwi Māia. the British charitable organisation Help she works. for Heroes, which has inspired AMUS Nelson to create a similar charity in Her other charity work this year New Zealand. included being a committee member at the Devonport RSA, a Poppy Over two years AMUS Nelson has Appeal ambassador, and the ongoing built relationships and connections restoration of over 130 headstones within the first responder community, of service personnel at the O’Neill’s resulting in the first “Wellness Point Cemetery in Devonport – initially Workshop” last year. The charity’s on her own, but now with support goal is to have their own facility where from the Navy and Sea Cadets. In her people in need of their services can classical singing profession, she has take time to recover. recorded three albums, performed the national anthem at All Black matches and has frequently sung for residents at retirement villages. Navy Today #261 | 23
H M N Z S E N D E A V O U R I “That image brings back memories,” says Bob Pinker, former crewman of netlayer HMNZS ENDEAVOUR (I), the Royal New Zealand Navy’s first Antarctic supply vessel. 24 | Navy Today #261
OUR HISTORY H M N Z S E N D E A V O U R I When HMNZS AOTEAROA heads to Antarctica next year, it will be the first visit and resupply to McMurdo by an RNZN ship in over fifty years. Editor Andrew Bonallack talks to former crewmen about the first missions to Antarctica in the late fifties. He’s looking at the image opposite, components for Scott Base, which taken in the beginning of 1958 near the ENDEAVOUR crew helped build. Cape Evans, Antarctica. “In the bow, In the 1957/58 season, Hillary used facing aft, is Able Seaman EA ‘Tag’ the tractors to create supply depots Wilson, while on the left rowing is between Scott Base and the Pole Chief Joiner E Voison.” He recognizes for Fuchs’ transcontinental journey Able Seaman Brian ‘Brushes’ Nolan from the opposite side of Antarctica on the oars on the right, notable for (Hillary famously decided to continue being the youngest RNZN seaman on and reach the Pole before Fuchs). to serve in the Korean War at age 16. Mr Pinker ultimately did nine trips The closest person to the camera is to Antarctica in his Navy career. Able Seaman Ray Tito. A year earlier, In 1956 he remembers boarding A/B Tito had hoisted the flag at the and he reckons that inspired the ENDEAVOUR in Bluff in December, new Scott Base, built to support purchase. with 18 dogs and a load of mutton New Zealand’s participation in the for dog food. He says ENDEAVOUR “ENDEAVOUR I was very Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic had stopped at Wellington, Lyttelton, comfortable,” he says. “She was a Expedition of 1957–1958, the overland Dunedin, apparently fundraising for diesel electric ship and a wooden crossing of the continent by British the Expedition on the way down ship, she wasn’t cold like a steel ship. explorer Vivian Fuchs with Sir from Devonport. “We had about 50 She made very little water, and the Edmund Hillary in support. fruitcakes donated from a local high galley got most of it. There’s no water school, and schoolgirls were knitting in Antarctica. It took a gallon of diesel us gloves and scarves to take with to make a gallon of water. But we had us.” Mr Pinker had obtained a 16mm plenty of beer – Leopard lager.” projection licence, in order for him to Mr Pinker had received training in show movies on the trip down. diesel electric engines in Australia, at “We didn’t celebrate Christmas until a time when the usual propulsion was 29 December, when the ship stopped steam turbine. It made him valuable in the ice. I’ve got a picture of Hillary for both ENDEAVOUR I and II. sitting on the ice next to the ship There are a variety of stories of eating Christmas dinner.” clashes between Sir Edmund and the In the picture, the crew are on their He remarks that the White Ensign ship’s Commanding Officer, Captain way to Scott’s Hutt at Cape Evans they sailed under was a different one Harry Kirkwood RN. “I remember to screw a brass plaque to the hut. than today (the Navy Ensign changed Hillary wanted to send messages out “I’m in the boat somewhere. I had a from the Royal Navy White Ensign without the Captain’s approval and the special drill the Navy gave me, and to the New Zealand version in 1968). Captain said, there’s only one captain I wouldn’t lend it to Voison.” “I remember the crow’s nest often on this ship. Get down below.” was in a ball of strange colours they This was during EM1 Pinker’s This acrimony is something Ann called St Elmo’s Fire.” second trip to Antarctica, on board Nolan, Brian’s widow, remembers ENDEAVOUR I, also the ship’s second His nine trips including missions in from her husband’s stories. mission to the continent (1957/58). the second HMNZS ENDEAVOUR, The wooden-hulled ship had been the former USS NAMAKAGON purchased and commissioned to (AOG-53) that he helped deliver from transport and support the Expedition the United States to New Zealand in and a year earlier (1956/57) had 1962. He says in January 1957 the Above: HMNZS ENDEAVOUR I stops for transported Sir Edmund Hillary and USS NESPELEN (AOG-55), a sister Christmas. Sir Edmund Hillary is in the his team, Hillary’s Massey tractors, ship to the NAMAKAGON, berthed dark blue on the left eating Christmas two aircraft, dog teams and the alongside them in McMurdo Sound, lunch. Photo supplied by Bob Pinker. Navy Today #261 | 25
H M N Z S E N D E A V O U R I “What Captain Kirkwood said was He remembers ‘bad years’ when the law,” says Mrs Nolan. “He was a ice was so bad the ships couldn’t cleanliness fanatic which was a good get into McMurdo. “Everything would thing on a ship but that is where have to be offloaded, to go into Hillary and Kirkwood’s friendship sledges towed by tractors. It could be came to grief. Hillary was not used 11 miles.” The second ENDEAVOUR to such a regime of cleanliness and was a huge improvement, he says, Kirkwood’s rules were “my ship, my but it wasn’t really designed for the rules, like it or leave” and everyone ice. “After one mission, you could see accepted that except Hillary. the ice had pushed in the hull against the ribs, all the way along.” “Captain Kirkwood loved the ship as he had captained it when it belonged Another former sailor, Geoffrey to the Falklands Dependency and Bourke, was a junior watchkeeper called the JOHN BISCOE. He was in ENDEAVOUR I for the 1958/59 a real English gentleman and the mission to Antarctica. He served in crew referred to him as “my father”. the Navy from 1951 to 1985, finishing He was such a nice man and kept in as a Commander. He’s not so sure touch with Brian and I after he retired the ship was that comfortable. “We in England. He used to say that he had bunks, but the sailors used to would sail anywhere in the world on take their hammocks because it was that ship.” more comfortable. She had a round bottom and would roll.” A classmate of Mr Pinker’s, LME Mervyn Tyree, was also among the delivery crew for ENDEAVOUR II, and thinks he and Bob are the only two of that crew left alive. He also notes they are the only two people left who have stood on the decks on all three ENDEAVOURs, thanks to the pair From top: HMNZS ENDEAVOUR being invited to the decommissioning in Antarctica; Ice building up on of fleet tanker ENDEAVOUR III (which ENDEAVOUR I (1958); Sled dogs on the never went to Antarctica) in 2017. deck of ENDEAVOUR I, 1958. 26 | Navy Today #261
OUR HISTORY H M N Z S E N D E A V O U R I The crew would be acclimatised to the cold by the time they got to McMurdo. “The ship wasn’t air- conditioned or any nonsense like that. It could be beautiful outside if the wind wasn’t blowing. You could be wearing a pair of shorts with heavy boots and socks, playing soccer. The penguins would come up to you, because they hadn’t seen a human before.” When they reached McMurdo, they would come alongside the ice. “The trucks would come alongside, the stores people would unload all the stuff, and the trucks would drive back to McMurdo. It was a chain gang of trucks, going around and around until the ship left.” Two things struck him about the continent. “Mt Erebus, which looked like a hill but was higher than Mt Cook. And there’s nothing red. It takes a while for you to notice that. That’s why an orange snowcat stands out for miles and miles.” ENDEAVOUR paid off on 7 November 1961 and was sold to Shaw Steam Ship Co. in Canada the following year. Renamed ARCTIC ENDEAVOUR, she was used for sealing in the Arctic until she sank at her moorings in November 1982 and was broken up in 1983. ENDEAVOUR II decommissioned in 1971. From top: The crew photograph Emperor penguins (1958); British explorer Vivian Fuchs’ Tucker 6.5-tonne Sno-cats are loaded onto ENDEAVOUR I, not long after the successful overland crossing of Antarctica (completed 2 March 1958). Navy Today #261 | 27
80 YEARS AGO New Zealand’s worst naval tragedy On the morning of Colleen Appleton, the niece of Able Seaman Norman Cook RNZNVR, 19 December 1941, is a regular attendee of the Naval Memorial Service for HMS NEPTUNE Royal Navy cruiser at Devonport Naval Base. “My uncle Norman Cook served with HMS NEPTUNE the RNZNVR in Wellington, leaving New Zealand on 2 May 1940 on struck four enemy the troopship RMS AQUITANIA to Scotland, leaving behind his pregnant mines and sank wife Mollie who gave birth to his son William Henry who was born on 19 off Libya. Seven June 1940 – six weeks after Norman sailed from NZ.” hundred and sixty In early 1941, New Zealand answered four men lost their the British Admiralty’s call for more sailors. NEPTUNE was approved as lives, including 150 a New Zealand-crewed vessel, in the manner of HM Ships ACHILLES and New Zealanders. LEANDER, but she was reassigned to the 7th Cruiser Squadron in the Mediterranean, attached to Force K in Malta. Thirty kilometres off Tripoli, Force K sailed into an uncharted deep-water minefield. HMS NEPTUNE struck three mines and sank within minutes of striking the fourth. AS Cook was 23 years old. 28 | Navy Today #261
MEDALLIC RECOGNITION FOR SOUTH EAST ASIA Ex-Navy personnel The NZOSM was instituted in 2002, for operational service since the end ANZUK was then replaced by New Zealand Force South East Asia who undertook of the Second World War. (NZFORSEA) from 31 January 1974, with forces based in South East Asia From 1959, the New Zealand Defence service in defence Force committed an infantry battalion, but in a non-operational role. From early 1975, there was no longer a one or two RNZAF squadrons and of South East Asia one or more RNZN frigates or cruisers continuous RNZN warship presence in South East Asia. NZFORSEA was in Malaya/Malaysia or Singapore from February 1959 as part of the Commonwealth Far based in Singapore until its withdrawal in 1989. East Strategic Reserve (FESR) and to January 1974 can New Zealand’s ‘Forward Defence’ Following a review this year, Minister policy – in effect a strategy to keep of Defence Peeni Henare says the now benefit from an communism as far from New Zealand extended eligibility “recognises the as possible. The major focus was the valuable contribution to the defence eligibility extension threat of limited war with China that of South East Asia by veterans who would impact on South East Asia. served in Malaysia and Singapore, but for the New Zealand RNZN ships spent about six to nine were previously excluded as they were months at a time in a wide range of not required to deploy into combat Operational Service locations in South East Asia, while theatres, such as Borneo or Vietnam”. homeported at Sembawang Naval Medal (NZOSM). Base in Singapore. An eligible veteran must have been posted or attached for seven or more There was also an ongoing days with FESR, ANZUK or associated communist terrorist insurgency in units during the dates specified. Malaysia, a fraught relationship with Service in NZFORSEA (1974-89) Indonesia which resulted in conflict, remains ineligible under the reviewed and war in Vietnam. criteria. In 1971 the FESR was scaled down It is estimated around 4,500 veterans to the Australia New Zealand United will be able to apply. Kingdom Force (ANZUK), which ran until 31 January 1974 and included a frigate deployed to South East Asia for For an application form, go to periods of three to six months. www.nzdf.mil.nz/pam Navy Today #261 | 29
Our Rūnanga Te Taua Moana Marae Ko Uika te maunga, Ko Ngā awa e rua te awa, Elected Rūnanga Members Ko Te Kurae a Tura te whenua, CO-CHAIR He kaimahi ahua o Babcock i te herenga Ko Te Taua Moana te Marae, Commodore Melissa Ross waka o Tamaki inaianei, Ko taku hianga Ko Iwi Heramana te iwi hei tautoko i te iwi heramana i roto i te CDRE Ross, of Ngāpuhi descent, is runaga, ko taku moemoea kia kitea he North Head is the mountain, the first woman in New Zealand naval Aotearoa e mawhitiwhiti ana nga ao e rua, history to achieve Commodore rank and Ngā Awa e rua is the sacred river, nga reo e rua, hei tautoko tenei kaupapa, the first woman to be posted as Deputy The headlands of Tura is the kei te timata ahau hei kaiarahi mo Chief of Navy. te hinonga tarai waka taua mo te iwi sacred land, She grew up in Kawerau and trained in heramana, mo Aotearoa. Te Taua Moana marae is the mechanical engineering at Christchurch RNZN spiritual refuge, Kia koutou eke nagaru ai; tu maia ma Polytechnic, while also representing runga waka, wehikore ma runga papa The sailors are the people New Zealand in volleyball. Two years pounamu o Tangaroa. in, her sister-in-law serving in the Navy, suggested the Navy as a career. She To our creators, Rangi and Papatuanuku, joined the Navy in 1993 as a Marine To the land and sea, Te Rūnanga o Engineer Officer and was one of the first We board our waka from across the Te Taua Moana women to serve in frigates. nation, Arise, Te Iwi Heremana!! Marae (assembly Her promotion to Commodore took I am a descendant of the Takitimu and or council) place at Te Taua Moana marae in Ngatokimatawhaorua waka and grew December 2019. up in Napier with whakapapa to Omahu Marae in Hastings. This month she has taken up a six-month The role of Te Rūnanga appointment as Joint Head of Managed After 17 years in the Navy, joining as a is to act as a servant and Isolation and Quarantine, taking over Marine Technician, I left earlier this representative of Iwi Hēramana from Brigadier Rose King. year as an Engineering Officer in the for promoting the spiritual, rank of LTCDR. cultural, social and economic CO-CHAIR During that time I served in development of the Iwi. Lieutenant Commander Josh HMNZ Ships KAHU, MANAWANUI, Aperahama (elected) TE KAHA, CANTERBURY, TE MANA, and OTAGO. Te Rūnanga is the guardian Ki Rangi, Ki Papa, Ki uta, ki tai, (kaitiaki) of the Navy’s tikanga. Ka eke ki nga waka o te motu, Today, I am a Reservist with HMNZS Ko Te Iwi Heramana e ara e! NGAPONA and work for Babcock at the Te Rūnanga will monitor tikanga Devonport Naval Base as the Fleet and at Te Taua Moana Marae and He uri tenei o nga waka Takitimu raua ko Asset Program Manager. Ngatokimatawhaorua, Tipu ake au i te official Navy activities, and papakainga o Ahuriri, engari ka au ki te My desire is to support the rūnanga and will ensure that the tikanga of mana whenua o Heretaunga, ki Omahu. our sailors to realise a shared vision for Te Taua Moana o Aotearoa is Aotearoa, opening opportunities for all in 17 nga tau ahua i roto i te Taua Moana, followed at all times. i timata au he kaipukaha pukenga. Te Ao Māori, language and cultures. A, i huri ahau hei opiha kaipukaha. Initially I will focus in areas for the linking of our Marae to our people through some I taku wa i roto i te weruweru Taua of the upcoming projects. Moana, eke ahau ki nga waka Kahu, ratou ko Manawanui, Te Kaha, To those on the seas, stay strong, ever Canterbury, Te Mana, Otago. fearless, and I wish you smooth seas. I whakawatea e au te Taua Moana i te timatanga o tenei tau, eke ai ki te taumata LTCDR. Kua piria tenei ki Ngapona hei whakaputanga. 30 | Navy Today #261
Assistant Chief of Navy I departed the RNZN in March 2020 Petty Officer Physical Training (Personnel and Training) having served a short lifetime as a Instructor Te Teira Maxwell Captain Jon Beadsmoore Hydrographic Survey Technician and He uri teenei o ngaa hapu katoa o attaining the rank of Warrant Officer. CAPT Beadsmoore, of Royal Navy Ngati Rangiwewehi. I am currently a serving Reservist in origins, moved to New Zealand in 2005. HMNZS OLPHERT, I continue to support I was fortunate to be brought up in He has been the Commanding Officer our Te Taua Moana whānau and the Te Awahou, just 300 metres from my of HMNZS TE KAHA and Capability development of cultural awareness Marae. On our Papa Kainga we had four Manager for the Frigate Systems across our VR sector. houses, my Nan, koro and the oldest Upgrade. Other posts have included mokopuna lived in one and three of my Commander Directorate of Sea Power My current role is Kaitohutohu Māori grandparents’ children (and their kids) and Warfare, the Maritime Component in the National Road Policing Centre in lived in the other three. We would spend Commander’s Executive officer and Police National Headquarters Wellington, our days on our bikes swimming at the Chief Staff Officer Operations to the a non-sworn civilian position maintaining river and playing at the marae with all our Joint Forces Commander. positive connections with our iwi Māori other cousins. So when I joined the Navy across the motu. and was introduced to Te Taua Moana Māori Cultural Adviser Having been part of the marae since Marae, just like a whole lot of people that Warrant Officer Te Kani Te Wiata its establishment – I am most happy have a strong upbringing in Te Ao Māori to continue to contribute to the who first join the Navy I thought “I don’t Ko Tainui, Ko Te Arawa ngā Waka, development for our turangawaewae – want anything to do with this Marae”. Ko Taupiri, Ko Ruawahia ngā Maunga, “he heremana ahau”. Ko Waikato, Ko Tarawera ngā Awa, I joined the Navy in 2009 as an OCSS Ko Waikato, Ko Ngāti Rangitihi ngā Iwi, and changed over to be a PTI in 2014. Ko Tūrangawaewae, Ko Rangitihi ngā Commander Wiremu Leef I am working at LTS facilitating the Marae, Ko Te Kani Te Wiata ahau leadership framework to our future Iwi affiliation: Ngapuhi, Te Rarawa leaders. As a recent member of the I joined the RNZN in Jan 1979 in the I joined in 1991 as Midshipman, Rūnanga I spend as much time as I Weapon Engineering Branch and am serving for 22 years until leaving as possibly can to support kaupapa at currently serving as the Māori Cultural a Commander. I rejoined in August Te Taua Moana Marae. LDG sees every Adviser to the Chief of Navy. I have been 2020 to assume command of HMNZS uniformed member of the Navy come in the role for the last six years. MATATAUA, my current role. I restarted through the gates and I am fortunate I have been involved with the Marae my Te Reo journey this year and hoping to be able to speak or assist those that since the opening on 15 April 2000 and to complete L1 & 2 soon, have renewed speak at the powhiri when they join. the Rūnanga pre-opening with breaks my whanaungatanga with the Marae I was also a part of the 21st birthday when I was deployed to sea-going Units. as part of this journey. I have been for Te Taua Moana Marae and with the privileged to have been allowed to mihi help of the other PTIs in the Navy we a few times on the Marae over the last organised the Pa (whutuporo) Wars. Māori Cultural Education Officer several months as part of my ako. Mark Simpkins George McGarvey Mr Simpkin’s iwi is Te Arawa. He has Chief Petty Officer Ko Hori Taranaki McGarvey toku ingoa served 27 years in the Navy, finishing as David Tapene Ko Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao, a Chief Petty Officer Diver. He has been the Māori Cultural Education Officer for Iwi affliations: Te Rarawa, Ngāti Hine, Te Arawa toku waka. eight years. Mr Simpkins has been on the Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Porou I joined the RNZN in January 1972, Marae staff from 2003 to 2007, and has leaving in 1992 as a Chief Petty Officer I have served in the RNZN for 20 years. been a rūnanga member since 2000. Seaman. I rejoined in 1997 as a CPOS My current roles is Kaiwhakahaere (Operations Manager) Defcommsta to take on the position as the Marae Warrant Officer Devonport. I have been involved with Projects Office, to build the marae. Soon Bernie Reihana Kapa Haka at the marae and I will take up after the official opening in April 2000 the marae manager position in 2022. my title became RNZN Marae Manager. Ko Pukeone me Tu Ao Wharepapa I left the RNZN in 2002 and I am ngā maunga, currently working at Tai Wananga Kura Ko Motueka te awa, Lieutenant Korin O’Brien as Director of Operations and Finance. Ko Ngati Rarua me Ngati Tama me, Iwi affiliation: Ngāti Porou Te Atiawa ngā iwi, Ko Te Awhina te marae, I have served for 23 years, as a Ko Bernie Reihana ahau former Chief Petty Officer and now commissioned (late 2019). My current Tenā koutou role is Directing Staff at the Officer I hail from the southern slopes of Training School. At the marae, I am a Taranaki Maunga and was raised on our former marae co-ordinator and the first whānau marae Aotearoa in Okaiawa female Marae Manager. before eventually moving into town (Hawera) at an early age. I attended secondary school in Auckland and Wellington but returned to Hawera at every opportunity. Not so much these days (which is a shame) but principally – Taranaki is home for me. Navy Today #261 | 31
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