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
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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 #261HMNZS 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 | 11AROUND 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 #261AROUND 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 | 13HOMEPORT
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 #261DO 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 | 15SAILOR 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 #261NAVY 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 | 171 2
4 5
8 9
11
18 | Navy Today #2613
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 | 19When 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 | 21The 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 #261VOLUNTEER 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 | 23H 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 #261OUR 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 | 25H 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 #261OUR 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 | 2780 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 #261MEDALLIC 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 | 29Our
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 #261Assistant 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.
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