issue 192 SEPTEMBER 2015 - RNZN - Royal New...

1our people

issue 192 SEPTEMBER 2015

NEW RECRUITS HAVE THEIR FIRST TIME ABOARD SHIP

WHY WE NEED A CREDIBLE NAVAL COMBAT FORCE

HMNZS WELLINGTON ON SOUTH PACIFIC PATROL

T e T a u a M o a n a – w a r r i o r s o f T h e s e a

2 mcc log

DIRECTORY

Published to inform, inspire and entertain serving and former members of the RNZN, their families and friends and the wider Navy community.

Navy Today is the official magazine of the Royal New Zealand Navy. Published by Defence Public Affairs, Wellington. Navy Today is now in its eighteenth year of publication.

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EDITOR: David McLoughlin

Defence Public Affairs

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contents NAVY TODAY ISSUE 192 2015

COvER IMAGE:

The recruits of BCT 15/02 doing physical training on the freezing, heaving flight deck of HMNZS CANTERBURY. See story beginning page four. Photo by David McLoughlin, editor, Navy Today.

CN AND NEW RECRUITS SEA-RIDE IN CANTERBURY

BCT CHURCH SERVICE REFLECTIONS

WHY NZ NEEDS A CREDIBLE NAVAL COMBAT FORCE

LSTD MAKASINI’S FITNESS AND EATING JOURNEY

OUR PEOPLE AT CN’S WHAKAARO

WRECK OF THE BUFFALO1our people

issue 192 SEPTEMBER 2015

NEW RECRUITS HAVE THEIR FIRST TIME ABOARD SHIP

WHY WE NEED A CREDIBLE NAVAL COMBAT FORCE

HMNZS WELLINGTON ON SOUTH PACIFIC PATROL

T e T a u a M o a n a – w a r r i o r s o f T h e s e a

FLEET PROGRESS

NAVY’S AUCKLAND CHARTER PARADE

3yours aye

This month I need to discuss with all of you our Four Year Plan. You should all be aware that the Chief of Defence Force has published the four year plan for the New Zealand Defence

Force, called Ready 2020. By 2020 the New Zealand Defence Force will have an enhanced combat capability. What we now need to focus on is how our Navy will make the contributions required to achieve Ready 2020. This plan translates the requirements of Ready 2020 into Navy specific language. We have called this plan Navy 2020 (see Navy Today issue 191). This is our plan; it is specifically linked to the priorities of Ready 2020 and we need to own it.

The end-state for Navy 2020 is very clear to me. In the next five years the plan is we will have “five new ships” join our Navy. We will have two upgraded frigates and we will need to relearn how to ‘‘fight them”. We will also have a new and much larger Maritime Sustainment Capability (the ENDEAVOUR replacement) and a Littoral Operations Support Capability (the RESOLUTION and MANAWANUI replacement). There is also every chance that we will have a third Offshore Patrol Vessel that will be better configured to operate down to the south of New Zealand, especially within Antarctic waters. Add to that the new SH2G(I) helicopters and we will have a modern and capable fleet.

Our Navy needs to be ready to accept and operate this new capability without compromise to the currently planned requirements of CANTERBURY, WELLINGTON, OTAGO and two of our Inshore Patrol Vessels. We are a Navy that is currently organised for “Yesterday and Today”. We need to move our focus to being a Navy of “Today and Tomorrow”. Business as usual will not get us to Navy 2020.

We have so far focused on the generation and development of our people and that is a good thing. We know we are the Warriors of the Sea of New Zealand. But to achieve the requirements of 2020, to

yours aye

Top Left: CN enthuses about Navy 2020 to 800 personnel at the Fleet Gymnasium.

achieve the enhanced combat capability vision of the CDF, we need to focus on our purpose, our fundamental reason to exist. Our role is to contribute to the security of our nation, and the people of New Zealand. We contribute to the security of our nation on the sea, above the sea and below the sea. Every one of you has a role to ensure our Navy is ready to deliver a maritime warfare capability whenever we are called upon. Remember that this is not just about the Naval Combat Force, every ship of our Navy is a warship; every capability that we have contributes to the effect of warfare and contributes to the security of New Zealand.

When we think of New Zealand we must also remember we are a maritime nation. We are a maritime nation because of our absolute dependence on our sea borne trade. Many New Zealanders depend on the sea for their livelihood. We have an extensive coast line, a massive Exclusive Economic Zone and a very large Search and Rescue area.

We are the experts in the maritime domain. We are entrusted as the protector of our ocean resources. No other Government department can do what we do.

So I believe that the Mission Statement of “Defend New Zealand’s Interests at Sea” accurately describes our purpose. Everything we do, whether it be training, maintaining or operating our Navy ensures we “Defend New Zealand’s interests at sea”. That really is what we are here for.

This is a significant moment in the history of our Navy. We now need to shape our Navy to ensure that our horsepower is in the right areas to achieve our 2020 vision. This is going to take courage and commitment to implement successfully.

I need you all to seize this opportunity, to cast off the habits and shackles of the past and to actively drive changing our Navy from a “Navy for Yesterday and Today” to the Navy of “Today and Tomorrow”.

I also know it will not be easy. Hard decisions are required. Priorities need to be established. We will restructure our Navy to better enable us to succeed. We need all of you onside and working towards a better Navy that is able to make a greater contribution to the outcomes of the New Zealand Defence Force. Embrace the opportunity and work with each other to move our Navy ahead. I know that if we all focus on this, we can make our Navy even greater than it is now.

He Heramana ahau

I am a sailor

CHIEF OF NAVY Rear Admiral Jack Steer, ONZM

4 hMnZs CanTerBury sea-riDe

Middle: Smiles of great experience—Warrant Officer of the Air Force W/O Mark Harwood (left) and Warrant Officer of the Navy WOCH Steve Bourke.

Above: Officer of the Watch Manoeuvres on CANTERBURY’s bridge. From left CO CDR Simon Rooke, Navigation Officer LT Malcolm Barry and ENS Sam Murray, the latter getting extensive experience in how to drive a ship.

First sea-ride For new recruits likely also the last For cnBy David McLoughlin, editor, Navy Today

The 36 recruits of Basic Common Training (BCT) 15/02 joined

HMNZS CANTERBURY in Wellington on Tuesday 11 August

to sail to Auckland in a three-night passage. Chief of Navy

RADM Jack Steer joined the ship by sea-boat in Napier next day. It

was the first time at sea in a Navy ship for the recruits. CN believes

it was his last before his retirement on 30 November.

There were many other firsts for the BCTs, including physical

training (PT) on the flight deck of a moving, often-heaving ship, sea-

sickness for some, a ride in one of CANTERBURY’s two landing craft

(Landing Craft Medium or LCM) and watches on the bridge in the

middle of the night. But there was also one significant first for CN—

after brief instruction from coxswain POSCS Gan Elphick-Moon,

he drove the LCM for two successful mergers with CANTERBURY’s

stern ramp.

The first ship CN was deployed in after joining the Navy was the

frigate HMNZS CANTERBURY F421, scrapped in 2005. He thought

it fitting the modern sealift ship HMNZS CANTERBURY L421 would

be his last.

“You are the last BCT class I will see graduate, as I retire on

November 30,” CN told the recruits during the voyage. “I’ve been

in the Navy for 43 years and you might think as an admiral I will

have done everything it’s possible to do. Not so. Today I got to drive

an LCM with two ramp mergers. I’ve never done that before. Any

of you could go on to do and be anything. CN, WON, any role you

aspire to.”

Cook Strait turns on some rough and very cold weather as

CANTERBURY sails out of Wellington. The swells continue into the

early hours of Wednesday morning as the ship makes for Napier.

While some of the BCTs were seasick, so were some of Ship’s

Company including senior officers!

5hMnZs CanTerBury sea-riDe

CN BOARDS THE SHIP IN NAPIERNapier is fine and sunny. The ship slowly cruises off the shore

around 10am as one of the ship’s boats (rigid hull inflatable boat

or RHIB) goes to pick up CN, Warrant Officer of the Navy (WON)

WOCH Steve Bourke and Warrant Officer of the Air Force W/O

Mark Harwood before sailing north-east to round the Mahia

Peninsula then on to round East Cape north of Gisborne for a night

passage across the Bay of Plenty to the Coromandel Peninsula.

“This is really exciting for me to be at sea,” CN tells Ship’s Company

in a Clear Lower Deck in the spacious embarked forces dining hall

soon after he boarded. The hall is where Army and other non-Navy

personnel eat while travelling in CANTERBURY, as many had done

recently when the ship took them to and from Exercise Talisman

Sabre in Australia and, before that, to and from Vanuatu to extend

NZDF humanitarian aid after Cyclone Pam.

CN refers to the presence of the BCTs onboard (they were not in

the hall) and asks everyone to help and encourage them, but not

to mention so early in their training “the tradition of the term that

starts with golden,” a quip that draws a good round of laughter.

He was referring to the legendary practice of sending a new sailor

to find the “golden rivet” that is allegedly the last rivet used in the

construction of a new ship. Many a fruitless hour has supposedly

been spent searching dark lower spaces for something that does

not exist.

Above: Recruits in the scran line for breakfast.

Left: Navy Seasprite flies around CANTERBURY in the Hauraki Gulf.

FLIGHT DECk PT AND “ACTION SCRAN”From about 4pm on Wednesday afternoon, the recruits have a PT session on the flight deck. By then, the weather has worsened again with rolling seas, a light drizzle and very cold winds. It was a strenuous session with a lot of running up and down in relays and it produced a decent sweat on everyone after an hour.

The evening meal in the embarked forces dining hall starts at 5.30pm. As well as the BCTs and their instructors, there are more than a dozen civilians from government agencies also sea-riding to Auckland and various Army personnel present. Everyone queues around the sides and back of the hall to wait their turn to select food from the “slide.” In Navy-speak this is the “scran line,” scran meaning food.

But the recruits are barely tucking into their piled-high plates when one of their instructors suddenly tells them loudly they have just three minutes left to eat. A lot of frantic eating follows. Then comes a final countdown in seconds. At zero they are told to stand up and take their plates to the counter and put their meals in the bins there. “No eating on the way!”

The recruits of BCT 15/02 undertake PT on the freezing flight deck.

WOCSS Ray Jensen of the Recruit Training Squadron, who is eating

there, says it was because food was found in the BCT mess deck and

that’s not allowed. “We aren’t allowed to punish them but we do

remedial work like this action scran to emphasis what is expected

of them.” “Action scran” is a similar term to the Navy expression

“action messing” to describe feeding a ship’s company in a very

short time during a busy exercise, for example.

“It’s similar if someone has a dirty uniform when they shouldn’t,”

WOCSS Jensen adds. “They have to wash their clothes in a bucket,

counting each time they put it in. Most people learn fast!”

RECRUITS HAvING A GREAT IF BUSY TIME ONBOARDThe food remedial aside, the recruits are enjoying their time on the

ship. OSA Joshua Finau, from Mangere, Auckland, and not long out

of Onehunga High School, says the BCTs try not to complain about

anything and just get on with it.

“One of the guys got caught with an orange in his mess deck,” OSA

Finau says of the food remedial. “It happened once and it won’t

happen again. We’ve learnt our lesson!

“This is my first time on a ship so a bit to learn about health and

safety. It’s quite different to being on land, especially the rolling

back and forth. The rocking was quite noticeable especially when

going to sleep. One of the guys was throwing up all night!

“The routines are quite structured so you know what you will be

doing at what time. We are constantly doing something, which

prepares us for a life at sea.”

OEWS Bradley Amos, who attended Tauranga Boys’ College, says

the only other ship he’d been on was an Interislander three or four

years ago.

“It’s been good. I haven’t been seasick yet,” he says, speaking on the

Thursday, when the ship is going through the Hauraki Gulf bound

for Whangaparaoa. “It’s quite disciplined being in the Navy, with

the training and the diet. I used to be able to sleep in till 9am if I

wanted. It’s up at 5am here! They get us up at 5.15 or 5.30 when they

bang on our doors and wake us up for EMAs in the hangar. At RTS

we spend the weekend cleaning kit so we don’t get remedials.”

EMA is Navy speak for the “early morning activities”—exercises—

the recruits do.

OMT Aidan Jones, from Dunedin, where he went to King’s High

School, says his first two days aboard ship were quite hard. “I was

seasick, tired, exhausted. I couldn’t eat for two days either. I found

it claustrophobic on the first night. We’re sleeping in a tighter

space; we have 11 people in a big room at RTS but 11 in a tiny room

on the ship.

“But I’ve got my sea legs now. I’m told the first day at sea is always

the hardest no matter how many times you have been on a ship.

“The routines are full on, you are never resting. They are pretty

much the same as at RTS, with Wakey Wakey, EMAs, scran. The PT

is different as it is around the ship. From EMAs we have 14 minutes

to get back to the mess deck, shower and dhobe [washing clothes].

We get 20 to 30 seconds to have a shower. Then we dress and line

up to do the count-up. Then our rooms are checked and then we

can go to scran.”

OMED Ayana Piper-Healion, from Whitianga, where she studied

at Mercury Bay Area School, was a lifeguard at nearby Hot Water

Beach and did various first aid and other medical courses. She

wanted to beef up her medical training so she joined the Navy.

After her basic training, she will spend two-and-a-half years at

the medic course at the Joint Medical Services Health School at

Burnham military camp.

“I’ve enjoyed being out of RTS and in a new environment, meeting

the medics onboard ship and learning what they do and what I can

expect at Burnham. I’ve enjoyed being on deck and watching the

sea go by, which reminds me of why I’m in the Navy. I was on watch

last night from midnight to 1am and learned all the bridge routines.

I even filled out the log. This trip has been good.”

A Navy Seasprite helicopter from No 6 Squadron flies around

CANTERBURY in the Hauraki Gulf but to the disappointment of

some does not land on the ship. CANTERBURY comes to a stop

Above: WOCSS Ray Jensen (left) and Chaplain Michael Berry watch the recruits’ flight deck PT session from the relative “warmth” of the hangar.

Top Right: From left OSA Joshua Finau, OMED Ayana Piper-Healion, OMT Aidan Jones and OEWS Bradley Amos.

7hMnZs CanTerBury sea-riDe

off Army Bay, Whangaparaoa Peninsula, where the landing craft

is carefully craned into the water and brought around to the

ship’s opened stern door. First the BCTs get a ride in two separate

groups, then RADM Steer steps aboard for his instructions and

two dockings.

Little did CN know that members of Ship’s Company had created an

L plate, which his Flag Lieutenant, LT Charlotte Burson, attached to

the craft’s cab.

CN HAS “FIRESIDE CHAT” WITH THE RECRUITSAfter the LCM is hoisted back onboard, CN holds a chat with

the recruits in the embarked forces dining hall. None of their

instructors are present, a deliberate move to allow the recruits a

free and frank discussion.

“How has your time on the ship been?” CN asks the recruits.

“GOOD SIR!” they shout back in unison.

“We don’t need a ‘yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir’,” CN replies.

“Let’s just have a nice little fireside chat.” The chat lasts close to an

hour, with the recruits asking lots of questions.

He’s asked what his favourite thing is about being CN. “Sailing

with sailors. Every day one of our sailors does something

absolutely amazing. The saddest thing for me will be missing all

my Navy colleagues.”

What has been his most stressful moment? “I don’t really get

stressed in the job, I just get busy.”

Where did the Navy’s core values—Courage, Comradeship,

Commitment—come from? “We realised we needed core values in

what had previously been an all-male environment. We discussed

it throughout the Navy about 15 years ago. Gradually the values

changed our Navy.”

CN asks some questions too: “What do you do in your spare

time? Sleep?” And someone quickly answers: “If we sleep we get

a sleep remedial!” From Top right to Bottom right: Flags (LT Charlotte Burson) puts an L plate on the landing craft as CN prepares to drive it for the first time.

CN looks out the window, oblivious to the L plate.

CN (right) drives the landing craft towards CANTERBURY’s stern ramp as POSCS Gan Elphick-Moon keeps watch.

Top: Landing craft approaches the stern ramp.

Above: A group of recruits disembarking from the landing craft.

There is just one question CN steers away from: “Do you have any

good jokes? We are told you tell good jokes.” To which he replies:

“The trouble with my jokes is they get me into trouble.”

He tells them he’s invited all living former CNs to their graduation.

“On November 6 you will go on parade. You will recite the Navy

Creed. You will perform the Navy Haka. You will be so proud. You

will be accepted by all of us.

“You are doing really well. The instructors are happy with you. Keep

smiling. Keep your sense of humour. It will get you through the

toughest days. This week you’re spending three nights on a ship but

you have a career where you could go away to sea for six months.”

OTAGO JOINS CANTERBURY FOR THE RETURN TO AUCkLANDAs evening falls, CANTERBURY is joined in the Hauraki Gulf by

the Offshore Patrol Vessel HMNZS OTAGO, just returning from

Rarotonga. The two ships spend the night conducting Officer of the

Watch manoeuvres at close quarters.

CANTERBURY’s Commanding Officer, CDR Simon Rooke, explains

these as being needed for training and practice purposes, but it

is often not possible to get two ships together long enough to do

these, so this chance has been grabbed.

CANTERBURY and OTAGO are still exercising at breakfast time on

Friday morning. In the dining hall, Navy padre Chaplain Michael

Berry, who is with the team accompanying the recruits, says the

members of BCT 15/02 have handled their first time at sea with the

Navy well.

“They took on the challenge. The challenge is not about not being

seasick, but letting yourself find yourself. On the last ship I was on,

there was a young Officer of the Watch who got terribly seasick.

He stood on the bridge for hour after hour because he was so

passionate about the sea. The recruits have taken on that passion.

It’s a raw passion.”

The two ships enter Auckland harbour together and head for

Devonport Naval Base. CANTERBURY berths first, just on 10am. It’s

a difficult berthing because of the tide and prevailing wind, but CDR

Rooke oversees it flawlessly. “There are only two types of berthing,”

he says. “One like this, and one with a lot of paperwork.”

CANTERBURY has been away for almost two-and-a-half months.

CDR Rooke thanks his personnel over the ship’s main broadcast

system for their hard work on Talisman Sabre and particularly

thanks them for their exemplary behaviour during the “runs ashore”

in Australian ports.

CN is piped off the ship. The grey heavens open, sending torrents

of rain over the base. And so the weather for the passage ends in

Auckland as it began in Wellington.

CN chats with the recruits in the embarked forces dining hall.

9BCT ChurCh serViCe refLeCTions

The Sunday before the recruits of Basic Common Training (BCT) 15/02 embarked on HMNZS CANTERBURY, their Family Church Service was held at St Christopher’s Chapel, Devonport Naval Base. It was the first time they had seen family members since joining the Navy in early July. These are the Reflections four of the recruits gave to the service.

I remember day one, a daunting time for most of us, wide-eyed

and clueless, clutching heavy travel bags at the front gate

of Recruit Training Squadron with only a small idea of what

to expect over the next few weeks. We were marched in quickly

though, parents and loved ones watching apprehensively from the

other side of the fence. Everything from that point onwards was a

blur. We had lots more paperwork to fill out and met new friends

instantly. We quickly ironed an attractive new pair of coveralls to

wear the next day and had the instructors brief us on the long list

of contraband items, including nutty, cell phones, coffee, toast,

piercings, books, magazines, make-up, card games—it goes on a

little. For most of us, the start of our naval career was a massive

leap into the world we live in today.

Bct Family church service reFlections

OEWS ANELIES DUFFY

I was born in Auckland, raised everywhere else. I’m 19 years old

and come from a strong Navy background, starting way up the

family line with my great-grandfather serving in World War II and

working its way down to both of my parents before me. My mother

and father both started where I am now, mum becoming a member

of the Navy Band and my dad, serving 21 years and leaving as a

marine engineering officer. They are both a huge inspiration to me

being here today. I didn’t join the Navy just because of my parents

though. The challenges set before me so far have been well worth

the fight and rewards.

Signing the attestation during our first week of BCTs was an

important and exciting time for all of us, maybe even a little

daunting not knowing what was to come. I remember the day

clearly in my mind, and know that I always will. It was incredible

being in the Navy Museum, soaking up the proud and inspirational

history that lay around us before we picked up our pens and signed

the line that would launch our lives and careers into something

amazing. Before much longer though, we were back on base, and

the somewhat “relaxed” training as we knew it intensified. We were

suddenly standing to attention on the small parade ground before

a terrifying Petty Officer, on our way to becoming disciplined and

self-reliant sailors of the RNZN.

Our lifestyles have changed dramatically since we left civvy-world.

I’ve actually forgotten what it looks like out there, and instead

I’ve come to understand the workings of an iron much better. We

all know what happens when the PTIs inspect a freshly put-on

rig that’s not quite up to standard. I’ve lost count of how many

burpees we’ve done because of this crease, or that crease, as well

as that tiny bit of lint. The same standards are applied in the mess

decks. It was a bit of a shock to see the instructors climbing up

walls and cubby holes to inspect that very top shelf for dust—

except of course for our very own duster buster who can reach up

with ease and with a swipe of his hands catch every speck we’ve

been too short to reach, announcing “dust” upon finding that small

but successful breach of cleanliness.

Week Four—or Shakedown Week—in particular was a huge

achievement for us all. The PTI’s Early Morning Activities—or full on

PT sessions in shakedown terms—were tough, getting up at 0500

(or 0300 on our longest day) and running down an approximate 1km

hill to Army Bay, where we were rewarded with a not-so-warm swim

in the Oggy. The chafe was very real for a lot of us. We learnt a lot

last week though. Good ol’ Uncle Hawser*— or was it Horace?—

OEWS Duffy

10 BCT ChurCh serViCe refLeCTions

came out three nights in a row. We did a good few hundred bull

rings and it felt like we could never get anything right, but we

slowly learnt from our mistakes and worked harder from there.

A definite high point for me was when we had to retrieve a

“prisoner” from the WWII tunnels in total darkness. That’s right,

no torches, only a few glow sticks in what seemed to me to be

incredibly tight spaces. I’ll admit it now; I was a little freaked out to

start with. Darkness and tight spaces all in one do not mix well in

my mind. Eventually though, I realised it wasn’t going to kill me and

that I just needed to get on with the task at hand. By the end of the

20 to 30 minutes we were down there, I surprised myself, roaming

around in total darkness, NOT clinging to my oppos’ polar fleeces

and searching thoroughly for our final item to collect—a so called

“smoke flare” which as it turns out, we had already grabbed some 10

minutes before. We also learnt a very valuable lesson down in those

tunnels, one that would definitely benefit future BCTs—always

read everything before you walk out the other end of the tunnel!

Especially if it involves nutty, or extra sleep.

And finally we have just completed Week Five and are looking

forward to the beginning of Phase Two of our training. We have

learnt the basics, but now we need to master them. We still have a

long way to go, but I’m pretty positive that with a lot more courage,

commitment and comradeship that we will make it through these

last 13 weeks of BCTs.

Stand easy for the day, fellow oppos, enjoy being with your family

and loved ones once again, but remember that when we get back

tonight, it’s all on again. And I personally say “bring it on” to

whatever challenges stand in my way now. Standby team, we’ve

only just begun.

*Uncle Hawser is a ship’s towing rope (hawser) the recruits take

around as a “remedial” for doing something wrong.

My Name is Krystal Sims, a few of you may know me by this

name but the majority of you will only know me as Sims. I

decided to join the navy for many reasons—you know what they

say; “join the navy see the world” and I must say getting paid

to travel is an amazing opportunity. But no, I joined the navy to

challenge myself, to put myself way out of my comfort zone and

to be the best I could possibly be.

The training I have experienced over the last five weeks since

arriving here and forfeiting my old lifestyle has been interesting.

As in all aspects of life there have been ups and downs. But look

at us; tired but surviving. The training goal of the instructors

here is to produce self-reliant disciplined sailors and I must say

at the moment I do see why it’s an 18-week course.

Quite clearly becoming self reliant and disciplined is not an

overnight transformation.

It takes perseverance and dedication by both us as recruits and

the instructors who aim to get us there. The training is tough

and a lot is expected of us but everything, every little thing, is

done for a reason. The intense physical training is to ensure we

can look after ourselves and our shipmates in an emergency

situation; the classwork is to teach us the procedures and how

the navy functions and what our roles are; and even the lack of

sleep is designed to test us and ensure we can survive in harsh

conditions. I can imagine a few of my instructors might find my

last point a little amusing as they have had to put up with my

droopy eyelids a little too much over the last few weeks, quick

apologies all round for this, team.

The survival of last week is a pretty major accomplishment for

us as a training division; the survival of Shakedown Week. The

details of this week are not even concrete in my own mind as it

was a pretty tiring week but through the haze of running that

was shakedown week a lot of cool team building activities do

shine through.

Something I’m really enjoying about my experience so far is the

team atmosphere. It’s encouraging to know that to survive this

you must work as a part of the bigger picture. That if someone

is struggling you cant just leave them behind because it will

bring the whole team down, so you help them, be it with making

their bed, checking them over to make sure their kit looks up to

standard, supporting them in their running or handing out a few

ironing tips. It’s all about team work. As the saying goes, a team

is only as strong as its weakest members.

And after all we have been through together I now look at those

around me with admiration and confidence. Confidence that

even though it has been hard and even with all the hard bits

to come I know I have a great team around me. A team who

will help one another through everything and everything the

instructors can and will throw at us; because as much as it might

not seem like it all the time, they want us to succeed just as

much as we do.

OMA kRYSTAL SIMS

OMA Sims

11BCT ChurCh serViCe refLeCTions

OMT YYAN MAYORGA

I am Yyan Mayorga. I am from Christchurch but I grew up in the

Philippines. My family moved here eight years ago.

The story of why I am here today started a long time ago. As a kid I

always wanted to be in the military, the intention was always there.

Maybe, because of how cool they looked, or how tough they looked.

It did not change until I entered the RTS gate. As soon as I got

yelled at by one of the staff, I asked myself “what did I get myself

into?” Then I thought about my family and my dream. They’re the

reason I am here today. They’ve pushed me to be better and they

always believed in me, and for that I am thankful.

I have always looked at servicemen and servicewomen as heroes,

not only they’re ready to defend and die for their countries but for

some of them the agony of being away from their loved ones hurts

just as much. My decision to join the Navy took a lot of courage,

and that goes for everybody who has served in the past, serving in

the present, and those who will serve in the future. I don’t regret

my decision, and I never will.

Not even after signing the attestation. Signing the dotted

line meant a lot for all of us. That meant sacrifice, sacrificing a

comfortable civilian life. Sleeping when you want, eating when

you want and going where you want. That’s not something we can

do here. You wake up with Wakey Wakey, you eat scran at certain

times, and pretty much our mall is the small parade ground. Signing

the line also meant commitment on your behalf! We now represent

the Navy and New Zealand.

Being committed means not giving up on whatever they throw at you.

Commitment is keeping the positive attitude when you know you’re

about to get Uncle Hawser. Commitment is pushing each other to

surpass the standards. Physically and mentally we have been pushed,

carrying an 86kg dummy up the hill, trying to find Oscar in a very dark

tunnel, non-stop burpees for six minutes! But my favourite would

always be the water. Remedial swims at 6am, or the 3am jog to the

beach just to do push ups and burpees in the water. All these things

have transformed us from individuals into a team.

And like I said, I don’t regret my decision, and I never will—not even

after wearing my wet weather pants while everybody was wearing

GWDs. Now I know why we can’t wear our GWDs. Sorry team.

Being away from my family would always be my low. Getting yelled

at from time to time will always bring me down, but I know our

instructors, as scary as they come, they’re here to help up become

self reliant sailors.

Passing my pool test is up there for my highs, and so was my sea

test. I remember during my sea test while treading, I asked PTI

Gomez what he was going to eat for scran. I asked myself “why did

you do that? What if he gives you remedial?” I made sure I kept

myself calm. I even asked [recruit] Dalton what he’s going to eat.

Meeting new people is one thing, building friendship is another.

Comradeship is the third C in our core values. And every time

we are given a task, I know we all do our best impression of

comradeship. The whole Shakedown Week might have been full of

remedial and carrying Uncle Hawser, but if we look at it closely it

made us 10 times better than we were in Week Three. The pain in

our faces going up those hills, doing burpees over and over again

because somebody decided to take a rest, pushing Little Flick*, that

parade training with Leader Wells, those made us who we are now.

Getting plenty of letters from my girlfriend and my family would be

another high. Knowing how they’re doing cheers me up. Family will

always be my high. And because of this, I don’t regret my decision,

and I never will.

I’ve never been in a better position in my life before. Here, I have

my oppos, the civilian chefs takes good care of us, the PTIs are

turning us into machines, PO Plant and Leader Wells are making

sure we don’t look like gumbies on our march out, and instructors

are making sure we pay attention to small details so that in the

future we don’t make small problems any bigger.

Eighteen weeks and beyond, I see myself as a self-reliant sailor

who portrays Courage, Commitment, and Comradeship. Attitude

is everything because the standard you walk past is the standard

you accept.

I am a sailor.

OMT Mayorga

* Little Flick is a trailer about the size of a small car trailer, used for fire exercises where it is loaded with hoses and pushed by the recruits to the scene of the fire.

12 BCT ChurCh serViCe refLeCTions

Looking back on the past five weeks

Rewarding and challenging tasks

But let me rewind my life a wee bit

To where my journey starts.

Raised in a hardworking family

Mum and Dad so humble and strong

Raising my siblings and me

Giving us a home in which we belong.

Working since a young age

As a teenager, unsure of where to go

But then I heard about the Navy and the

opportunities it brings

A career where skills and experiences

I knew that’s where I wanted to be

I made it my goal, my aim

To be a self-reliant sailor

But I knew it was not going to

be an easy gain.

On the bus from my home town

Unsure of what was to come

Rotorua girl new to Auckland life

A new journey had begun.

Excitement, nervousness

Eagerness and fear

Wondering where my life would lead

Where to from here?

As I stepped through the gates

Bag clutched at my side

Leaders, Instructors, instant fear

As their eyes, met mine.

Meeting each person one by one

Soon to be friends, or “oppos” as they say

Weeks go by, that changes swiftly

Brothers and sisters is how we remain.

Learning the ropes of our surroundings

And making many mistakes

Ironing overalls and cleaning boots

5am we are up and awake.

Bathroom sinks, reflections beam

Showers without a single water drop

Washing our clothing by hand

Our days seemed non-stop.

All tasks set had meaning

Even though it may not have seemed

it at the time

Watching ourselves and our peers

Come out of our shells and shine.

Leaders, Learners

Encouragers and Friends

Working as a whole team

Pushing to the very end

Others ask me, what’s so hard?

What pushes me to the extreme?

My mind is my only barrier

I am nothing without my team.

Physically, emotionally

Without you, and you and you

I would not be standing here

You are all the reason I pull through.

In and out of the ocean

Burpees, prone holds, push ups you name it

The sense of achievement afterwards

A huge exhale “Thank goodness we made it!”

Through blood, sweat, sand and tears

Proud with our heads held high

One step at a time we push on forward

One PT session at a time.

Swimming in the freezing sea

Doing lengths or widths of the pool

Despite the chaffing and the cold

I learnt quickly, one simple rule.

Timing is essential

Make the timings and things run as planned

OSA DARNEL EPARAIMA

Courage, commitment and comradeshipAre the core values in which we liveWorking together and helping outBCTs is where it all begins.

Don’t make timings, things change fast

Watch out for the Leading Hands!

Competition runs wild

Achilles and Leander

Still family at heart

Just with a little bit more banter.

Where do I see myself now?

Quitting is not an option

I have come this far for myself and my team

But there are others,

who I would like to mention.

My father, my mother

My siblings and my friends

I will continue to push forward

The next 13 weeks until the end.

Push through the hard times

Embrace all the good times too

Make memories for many years

And make friends who will remain true.

My future is going to be rewarding

Experience things no ordinary person can

To one day share this understanding

With more people, lend them a hand.

Thank you instructors for your time

We will all continue to grow

Bring on the weeks to come

Go Achilles GO!

Manaakitia Atu

We will continue to care and support our

Tautokotia Atu

We will stand behind each other for many

years.

Kia Ora.

OSA Eparaima

Above: The frigate HMNZS TE kAHA on narcotics patrol in the Indian Ocean in June with an RNZAF P-3k2 Orion and the ship’s Seasprite helicopter.

sTraTeGiC ThinKinG

why the nZdF needs to maintain a crediBle naval comBat Force

The New Zealand Government has confirmed its commitment to making sure New Zealand has a strong and effective Defence Force. It has committed to a

Defence Force that must complete a range of roles. It must protect New Zealand’s territory and citizens. It must conduct and lead missions in the South Pacific and it must also enable New Zealand to contribute meaningfully to regional and international security with partners and friends. For New Zealand’s military combat capability to be deemed credible, it needs to be deployable, autonomous, versatile, and adaptable. The current capabilities that are credible in terms of projecting combat are: Special Forces, Combined Arms Task Group (Mobile or Expeditionary) and the Naval Combat Force.

Every nation defines its naval requirements in its own terms, but for New Zealand, tasks in and around our country and the South Pacific have been the historical starting point for such definitions. Working with Australia, New Zealand must have the ability to deal with any reasonably foreseeable contingency in the South Pacific. Such capabilities, by extension, also allow us to make a credible contribution to stability in Asia, as well as further afield.

Navies exist therefore to specifically allow the state use of the sea for its own advantage, while at the same time attempting

to prevent use of the sea by others to its disadvantage. Maritime policy is based on the concept of freedom of the seas which has been codified in international law.

New Zealand is a maritime nation, but the definition is not allocated merely because we are surrounded by water. We are a maritime nation because of our absolute dependence on sea-borne trade, mostly over the horizon—our own coat of arms contains three ships to symbolise our dependence on maritime commerce. It isn’t just the waters surrounding New Zealand that make us a maritime nation, it is also our unreserved dependence on the waters on the other side of the world for our national well being and economic prosperity.

The free movement of commercial shipping through international waters is of critical importance to the livelihoods of all New Zealanders.

We are located in an ocean that is larger than all of the land masses of the world combined. We have an extensive coastline and the fourth largest Exclusive Economic Zone in the world. Our maritime area of responsibility is one of the largest at 4,083,744 square kilometres (15 times our land mass). Including territorial waters we have the seventh biggest area, behind the USA, France, Australia, Russia, Canada and Japan.

New Zealand ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1996. We were the fifth country to present a submission to the UN Commission for Limits of the Continental shelf (2006).

By CAPT Mark Worsfold RNZN

Strategy in military terms can be defined as Continental or Blue Water, depending on geography or character; a nation will decide to pursue their interests over land or over seas. Maritime or Naval Strategy therefore is the mandate to define how a naval service will complete its politically directed requirements.

14 sTraTeGiC ThinKinG

The commission confirmed that under Law of the Sea Article 76, New Zealand has rights to a further 1.7 million square kilometres outside the current EEZ.

In contrast to this extensive maritime area, New Zealand has a comparatively small economy and population, ranking just 53rd in the world by GDP and 123rd by population; we therefore have limited means and limited maritime security resources that we can call our own.

Unlike the land, the sea is a medium for movement. It cannot be occupied or fortified. Our reliance on maritime commerce therefore behoves us by obligation to play our part; to make a credible and effective contribution to operations and collective security.

To exercise freedom of the seas, a navy is granted the rights to operate in all dimensions of the high seas. To exercise freedom of the seas, a navy must have mobility and the capability to deliver force.

Accepting that the sea is a medium for movement and cannot be occupied or fortified, it is accepted that a Navy cannot hold ground to the extent that an army can. Equally, a Navy cannot reach as swiftly to an Area of Operation as an air force.

A Navy though, with the ability to stand off a foreign shore for an indefinite period with substantial capability cannot be matched; therefore any joint expeditionary concept of operations must be undertaken in recognition of the unique attributes offered by each of our services. The inherent flexibility of naval forces makes them well-suited for a wide range of missions and tasks including those in politically sensitive crisis management situations.

A Naval Combat Force in particular, can deploy quickly and remain in an area for extended periods without the agreement of neighbouring states. They do not need to rely upon complex shore-based in-theatre logistic support systems; they have an inherent flexibility which allows them to change roles quickly without loss of efficiency or without having to return home to reconfigure. Warships have a symbolic value in that they are legal extensions of their parent state; in this, the presence of a warship is a clear signal of the interest or concern of a state (or of a group of states in the case of a multinational force).

When exercising freedom of the seas, warships have the freedom to navigate and conduct activities. There is no equivalent of “overflight permission”—warships may transit territorial waters in the exercise of “right of innocent passage”.

To be effective and credible in the maritime domain; New Zealand must have an organic capability to project and sustain combat capability—the Naval Combat Force and the expeditionary nature of our Special Forces and Combined Arms Task Group provide that capability.

The Government has indicated that we are likely to see growing pressures on our maritime resources, an increase in illegal migration attempts and transnational crime. It has further predicted that some Pacific Island states may look to us for help as instability continues there, and the strategic balance in East Asia is shifting. The vast majority of the world’s capital cities and state populations lie within 320km of a coastline; therefore the political influence of naval forces operating adjacent to foreign shores is magnified.

New Zealand’s maritime security approach is what maritime strategist King’s College London professor of maritime studies Geoffrey Till defines as “post-modern” in that we are focused on

the globalised system and our place within it, and we are reliant on co-operation, collaboration and collective security. New Zealand is not preoccupied with a local potential adversary; but according to Professor Till, New Zealand’s immediate maritime domain—an area potentially rich in fish, oil, gas, and minerals—may indeed have a “transformational” impact on the future of our economy. With such a potential impact, he suggests there is clear need to develop a strategy for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of these resources; and the jurisdictional capacity to exert and if necessary to defend our ability to enjoy them.

To bring Professor Till’s thoughts into the local context, we need to also understand the position of New Zealand as military force in the world. We can show that New Zealand is a country that is committed to participate with responsibility and effectiveness in world events within a partnership of like-minded states. In terms of military capacity, these parameters portray New Zealand as a Medium Power. This power exists when a number of parameters (economic, cultural, intellectual, military, and geographical) all point in the same direction, towards a significant autonomy and capacity for self-help in the preservation of national identity and vital interests.

If we can accept that New Zealand is a medium power, we need to be able to classify what a medium power navy might look like, noting that the two terms are separate and by no means implicitly linked. Equally, it must be understood, that the term is not an extension or paraphrase of the “best small-nation navy in the world” vision of the Royal New Zealand Navy. As earlier stated, each state defines its naval requirements in its own terms taking cognition of a range of complex inter-related circumstances

4,083,744Our maritime area of responsibility is one of the largest at 4,083,744 square kilometres (15 times our land mass).Including territorial waters we have the seventh biggest area, behind the USA, France, Australia, Russia, Canada and Japan.

we have an extensive coastline and the fourth largest exclusive economic Zone in the world.

15sTraTeGiC ThinKinG

particularly relating to defence and foreign relations, tempered and modified of course by its economic prosperity.

When defining these terms for New Zealand, our dependence upon the sea needs to be a factor in our determination of actual operational capabilities. Being a maritime nation does not provide justification to a certain number of ships but it does require an ability to act independently across the spectrum of naval roles and functions, and the political will to employ the capability at some range from home waters.

To quote from a Canadian body of work regarding the typology of navies; a Medium Power Navy can be sub delegated into two further categories: a medium Global Force Projection Navy; or a medium Regional Force Projection Navy.

A Medium Global Force Projection Navy is defined as a navy that may not possess the full range of capabilities, but has a credible capacity in some, and consistently demonstrating a determination to exercise them at some distance from home waters, including in cooperation and conjunction with other Force Projection Navies.

A Medium Regional Force Projection Navy is a navy that possesses the ability to project force into the adjoining ocean basin. While they may have the capacity to exercise these further afield, for whatever reason, they do not do so on a regular basis.

The level below a Medium Power Navy is referred to as an Adjacent Force Projection Navy. Such a navy has some ability to project force well offshore, but is not capable of carrying out high-level naval operations over oceanic distances.

The bottom line therefore is the ability to project force, regardless of distance or regularity. Without a force projection capability, the topology of Navies indicates you cannot be any more than an Inshore Defence of Constabulary Navy.

New Zealand’s naval combat capabilities are being upgraded, to ensure that our Anzac frigates continue to provide a valued

contribution to coalition operations. In order to ensure that New Zealand retains the jurisdictional capacity to exert and if necessary to defend the freedom to enjoy the resources that our nation so completely relies on to be prosperous; the maintenance of a credible Naval Combat Force is arguably incontestable.

In the context of the environment in which we operate, in the context of our requirement to be a credible medium power Navy, New Zealand must continue to procure and operate an ability to project force at and from the sea.

Future procured capability must be able to function as tactically self sufficient units, but with the capability to integrate into international and national forces that are likely to be involved in a joint and combined operation.

Our future naval combat capability must have the minimum requirement to conduct (mid-level) operations with adequate combat capability including suitable self-defence and reasonable offensive capability. Our future naval combat capability must be versatile and combat-capable if it is to undertake even the most basic of functions with any credibility.

The New Zealand Government has confirmed its commitment to making sure New Zealand has a strong and effective Defence Force. The Government has committed to a Defence Force that must complete a range of roles and tasks to protect New Zealand’s territory and citizens. It must conduct and lead missions in the South Pacific and it must also enable New Zealand to contribute meaningfully to regional and international security with partners and friends.

Implicit to this commitment is the competency, to be able to provide sea-based service to support, coordinate and influence events at a distance. Freedom of the seas and the free movement of commercial shipping through international waters is of critical importance to the livelihoods of all New Zealanders, the continuation of a credible Naval Combat Force should be too.

We are recruiting noW for the next course in 2016

Interested In joInIng the MIlItary PolIce?

ContaCt any MP Station for More inforMation

16 our PeoPLe

By LSTD Marieta Makasini

Hello and talofa lava. I am writing here to share my story

and experience of healthy eating and exercise and

how it got me to where I am today. A lot of people are

approaching me asking what I did and how I did it. Many people

don’t know who to turn to or know how to obtain this type of

information. For this reason, I decided to share my story.

After I gave birth to my son Ignatius, I weighed 85kg and I still

remember the first time I went for my first run. I ended up walking

home with my head down and couldn’t believe how fatigued I was,

and wondering if I was ever going to get my feet back on track.

I came back to work when baby was three months old and attended

remedial training at the Fleet Gym. The whistle blows; I’m puffing

and trying to catch my breath sprinting from one end of the gym

to the other. What am I getting myself into? I’ve just given birth

by C-section and I’ve been told to take it easy—oh man! Am I ever

going back to sea with this thinking? I am a mother to a newborn

and a wife to a loving, supportive and patient husband. Where am I

going to fit them in my plan? How much more can I take on?

Before I knew it, I was posted to HMNZS CANTERBURY and

deployed for RIMPAC (Exercise Rim of the Pacific) 2014 in Hawaii.

At this stage, my weight was sitting at 75kg. I still loved my Island

food and I was still uncomfortable with my body and myself.

So, for the three months away I embarked with healthy eating

whilst attending the ship’s gym five times a week. An inspiration to

me over this time was my Commanding Officer, CDR David Turner.

Due to his own healthy lifestyle I would make him healthy meals

every single day. This helped me to also maintain my healthy eating.

After only three weeks, I started to notice a big different in my

body. My stomach had started to shrink and my energy levels had

increased. Those little naps I used to take throughout the day were

becoming less and less and I was feeling better and happier in myself.

By the sixth week, one oppo said: “Man you’re looking good,” and, a

second later, the whole team yelled out: “Hey you’re looking great,

what are you eating?” I didn’t know how to respond to this. I was

feeling shy with these comments coming my way; I am not one

to take compliments. I sat down and shared my food with them.

Eventually I found myself giving them advice, motivating, assisting

and supporting them with their healthy eating lifestyle.

For those who may be interested here is a list of a few items I used

to create my meals: sweet potatoes, chicken, fish, steak, salmon,

light tuna, green salads plus many other delicious items for which I

would gladly share to anyone who would like to contact me.

MY JOURNEYI am a Samoan woman, a mother, a wife, a sister, a cousin, and

a friend. I have my weaknesses, just like everyone else. I am not

perfect, I am a normal human being wanting to share my story

and reach out to NZDF and hoping that it will inspire you and

motivate you to accomplish your commitment to our Force and life

in general.

On this journey, I have learnt that it’s a combination not only of

fitness but healthy eating without the need for any kind of weight-

loss supplement. People are spending far too much money on

supplements getting to where they want to be. The main thing is

having the proper types of food and nutrient. No matter how much

you train and sweat at the gym, if you don’t watch what you are

eating then you will undo all the hard work.

I want people to feel how I felt. It’s such an amazing feeling. I don’t

feel tired anymore, I feel alive, always happy, and just feel good

about myself. People looked at me differently; my mind and body

was awake, my skin changed and I was keen for PT as my body was

easier to move around. With all these changes came an important

feeling of being confident in myself. I’ve turned down study courses

many times and that’s because I was too scared that I wouldn’t

make it through. Now I’ve just completed Petty Officer Common

Promotion Course and I feel I can accomplish anything.

I know it’s hard in the first few weeks to change your lifestyle and

eating habits. People often give up after a few weeks, but when

they start getting results they keep going and get to where they

want to be.

On CANTERBURY’s return to New Zealand, my weight was sitting

at 65kg. I am sure the last time I was 65kg was when I was a

teenager. I was very proud of myself. I have since helped family and

workmates with their healthy eating, including my husband who,

after I encouraged him to join my new healthy lifestyle, lost eight

kg in three weeks. He now continues to maintain this when he can,

whenever I go to sea.

I attended the Support PT and decided to hit the Fleet Gym

afterwards to give myself more options and do something different

for a while. I was amazed by what people who I hadn’t seen for

three months were saying. I didn’t take notice or think much of this

until I went to the gym to do some weights after circuits, and while

I was there I noticed myself in the mirror and couldn’t believe my

eyes. This was a very emotional time and I felt very proud that all

the hard work of PT, lunges, squats, weight, planks, press ups and an

abdomen exercise regime CDR Turner got me into had all paid off.

marieta’s journeyhow healthy Food and exercise transFormed lstd makasini’s liFe

17our PeoPLe

It will hurt, it will take time, it requires dedication, it will require

willpower, you will need to make healthy decisions, it requires

sacrifice, there will be temptation, but when you reach your goal it’s

WORTH IT.

MY ENCOURAGEMENTI don’t believe in luck; for me it is preparing to meet the moment of

opportunity. There are no short cuts to success. Life is about growth

and change. You cannot control the other person. You only have

control over yourself. Don’t waste your time in the race looking

back at the other person; it’s about what you can do.

Make small steps to make your dream become a reality. People

are always waiting for the right time to do great things. If you’re

waiting for that perfect time it will never come. Don’t let one bad

day stop you from reaching your goals. No matter how slow you are

making progress, every little bit counts. Just remember to breathe

through it.

The moment you start acting like life is a blessing, it will start to

feel like one. I love seeing people succeed. It’s even better when you

see the struggle they had to go through to get where they are now.

There is nothing more attractive then someone who knows what

they want and is willing to do whatever is needed to get it. Always

be an encourager, the world has enough critics already. Fitness is

not about being better than someone else; it’s about being better

than you used to be. Just get up and go. Imagine yourself three

months from now.

We are here for a reason. We have values. The fact that we are in

the NZDF is no accident. When you do well, people notice. No

matter how many problems you go through in life, eating healthily

will help you become stronger as a person. Navy is our family. I

want everyone to know they can make a difference in themselves

and others.

Since losing all this weight, my uniform fits better, I look better and

for this reason my confidence has improved. I want to pursue my

career in the Navy and to have more kids but at least I know exactly

what I need to do to keep my feet on track and I will be ready for

the challenge again.

ACkNOWLEDGEMENTSI would like to thank CDR Turner for everything he’s taught me. I’ve

never eaten so well in my life or felt so good about myself.

My deepest gratitude to POMT (L) Keith Adam who trained me

onboard with my body weights techniques; LPTI Jaimee Wattie who

proposed a weight plan exercise before I deployed, ASTD Janey

Holland my inspirational body figure and my nutrition guidance

adviser, and ASCS Jesse McKay my adviser directing me with the

right meals.

I would also like to thank the Chief Chef and his team during this

time for giving me the opportunity to prepare meals for myself and

others.

Last but not least—my husband for your patience, your

commitment to our marriage, allowing me to fulfil my dream career

in the Navy. Thank you for being a mother and father to our son

when I am out at sea. You are my rock, my everything and I am

deeply in awe that God has blessed me with the right man.

Top Left: LSTD Makasini working up a sweat in the gym.

Top Right: LSTD Makasini with CDR David Turner.

By the sixth week, one oppo said: “Man you’re looking good,” and, a second later, the whole team yelled out: “Hey you’re looking great, what are you eating?”

18 our PeoPLe

04 05 06

Chief of Navy’s annual Whakaaro was held in the seminar centre at Devonport Naval Base on August 20 and 21. The theme was “Understanding our Purpose,” with a focus on what the Navy’s mission—Defend New Zealand’s Interests at Sea—means to the Navy and its people. Speakers from within and outside the Navy challenged the

attendees to be inspired and bring passion to their workplaces. All these photos are from the Whakaaro.

chieF oF navy’s annual whakaaro

19our PeoPLe

1. LT CDR Mark Hadlow, the Master of Ceremonies, warming up the crowd. 2. Scientist Sir Ray Avery, Deputy Chair of the New Zealand Health Innovation Hub and an exceptional New Zealander, addresses the Whakaaro. 3. CPOEWS Korin O’Brien (left) and POWTR Jonelle Ngaronga. 4. CDR Paul Gray (left) and CDR Phil Eagle discussing the programme. 5. CDR Robin Metcalf (left) and LT CDR Kathryn Sherley. 6. Warrant Officer Kramer Pierce discusses the purpose of the Marine and Weapons Engineering trades, a rousing presentation that ended with a standing ovation. 7. Civilians Mr Henry Curtis (left) and Mr James Burton from Naval Staff in Wellington. 8. Attendees enjoying a good laugh. 9. Closing the Whakaaro with a question-and-answer session—Chief of Navy RADM Jack Steer (left) and DCN CDRE Dean McDougall.

20 naVy hisTory

By CAPT Andy Watts, Director, Operation Neptune*

One of the things I enjoy most about my job is the opportunity to visit communities around New Zealand and connect with local people. I am continually amazed by

the depth of support for our Navy. It really is a great experience to walk through a small town in uniform and be greeted with friendly smiles and nods, sometimes being stopped by people of all ages for a chat and warm words of support for what we do.

I had such an opportunity in early August when, together with LT CDR Muzz Kennett and MAA Clinton Hemopo, I represented CN at events in Whitianga to commemorate the loss of HMS BUFFALO on 28 July, 1840.

BUFFALO was a Royal Navy stores ship sent to Mercury Bay to buy timber from local Maori (Ngati Hei) for the manufacture of masts and yards for Royal Navy ships in Australasian waters. The region abounded in kauri, whose strength and resilience made it ideal for the purpose.

BUFFALO anchored off what is now called Cook’s Beach. By early afternoon an easterly gale had developed, blowing directly onshore with a heavy swell and driving rain. Despite every precaution that a well-led, seamanlike crew could take, at 5pm the final anchor cable parted and the ship was set to leeward towards the shore at an increasing rate. Square rigged ships had great difficulty tacking to windward in heavy seas and high winds—to be caught on a “lee shore” in a gale was a captain’s worst nightmare.

the wreck oF hms BuFFaloAt 6.30pm the ship struck, shattering the pintle that held the rudder in place. CAPT James Wood decided he had no option but to use the sails as best he could to drive the ship ashore in a place where the crew would have a chance of getting off safely. This he finally achieved at 9.15pm, the ship coming to rest off what is now called Buffalo Beach, close to the centre of the present Whitianga.

Before grounding for the final time, two of the ship’s boats had been lowered to reduce her draught, which is how the only two casualties of the wreck were sustained. Charles Moore, Able Seaman, and Edwin Combes, Boy, drowned when one of the cutters capsized.

Those still aboard BUFFALO were far from safe, however. The gale continued unabated and the ship was being steadily smashed to pieces. A party of Maori were aboard the ship, including a local rangatira who had been given passage to Mercury Bay from Tairua to obtain food for his people. It was the bravery of one of these men that may have saved the Ship’s Company. Accounts differ, but it is certain that this man swam ashore the next day while the surf was still dangerously high with a line which was then used to haul boats out to the ship to get men ashore.

The local Ngati Hei gave immediate help and support to the shipwrecked sailors, providing food, dry clothing and shelter. This was the middle of winter, and the crew had been fighting to save their ship for many hours. They would have been soaked, physically and mentally exhausted, hungry, thirsty, and some could well have been suffering from hypothermia. In all likelihood, Ngati Hei saved many lives that day. They continued to help the crew while the

The wreck of HMS BUFFALO, by G. Jackson.

the wreck oF hms BuFFalolatter worked over coming weeks to salvage the ship’s stores and fittings.

Some time after the shipwreck, the ship’s large cutter was repaired and sailed to Auckland by BUFFALO’s Chief Boatswain’s Mate, Thomas Duder. He became the port signalman, making his home on the slopes of what is now Mt Victoria, and starting a large family. Duders Ave in Devonport is named after the family, many of whose descendants attended the BUFFALO commemorations in Whitianga. They feel they owe their existence to Ngati Hei, in particular to the brave but sadly unknown man who swam ashore with the line, and they wanted to acknowledge this debt publicly.

Many ships have been wrecked on our unforgiving coast, but to me this story is worth telling for what it illustrates. The selfless courage and unstinting generosity of Ngati Hei saved the lives of the BUFFALO crew. This very early instance of the partnership between Maori and Pakeha on which our country is founded seemed to me to illustrate the story told by the carvings on the mahau of our Wharenui, which show the coming together of two peoples. Both the Maori of Ngati Hei and the Pakeha of BUFFALO lived the core values on which our Navy is based. I think it’s important we remember that this partnership, and the respect and understanding on which it is based, has a long history.

This is a great book. The cover of this book provides the image of sailors taking a moment for fresh air beside their gun mounts.

Whether action has just occurred or about to occur, it doesn’t matter—this image clearly portrays life at sea during World War II: courage and commitment to be ready for action at all time yet available for comradeship wherever and whenever possible.

Compiled by well known historian and very capable author Jeremy Harwood, World War Two at Sea is an impressive and attractive book that provides fantastic detail on the happenings and aftermath of just about every major battle at sea between 1939 and 1945. The book is crammed full of imagery, graphics and charts with impressive factual detail carefully woven through every page.

Conflict at sea during the Second World War covered the globe, and Harwood has captured the rich detail of each engagement. Literally hours after war broke out on 3 September 1939, the 13,500 ton passenger liner ATHENIA was attacked and sunk by a 26-year-old German Unterseeboot commander; the conflict that then raged across the vast oceans and seas of our globe for six years began.

World War Two at Sea covers the maritime story of the conflict through to the last major decisive maritime action of Operation Ten-Go and the sinking of the Japanese super-battleship YAMATO by the task force under the command of ADM Raymond A. Spruance, USN. The sinking of the YAMATO rendered the once invincible Imperial Navy an ineffective and spent fighting force and enabled the end game that would result in victory.

World War Two at Sea opens with a graphical timeline of the events detailed in the book and provides a brief yet insightful summary of the maritime situation in the years before war began. Then the action begins. The compelling narrative of decisive battles and at-sea engagements are enriched with silhouettes and key statistics of the involved ships and accurate graphics and diagrams of ship movements during the battles; Harwood entices you into the battle; carries you through the encounters and leaves you with a resonant understanding of the influence that war at sea had on the outcome of the war. If the war could not be won at sea, the land and air campaigns would fail. It was a relatively unequivocal situation; victory in Europe was not possible without the control of the Atlantic Ocean; control the Pacific Ocean and Japan would fail.

World War Two at Sea is one of those books that you can open at any random page, start reading and learn something new. I enjoyed every page of this compelling reference and captivating story of conflict at sea. It is a well written, well rounded book that Warriors of the Sea, maritime historians and experts alike will appreciate.

BooK reView

world war two at seaconflicts on the oceans – 1939 to 1945Author: Jeremy Harwood, Exisle Publishing.Reviewed by CAPT Mark Worsfold, RNZN

* Operation Neptune is undertaking the planning for next year’s 75th Anniversary of the RNZN.

22 CharTer ParaDe

The Navy paraded in central Auckland on 20 August for the frigate HMNZS TE KAHA to return her Friendship Charter to the city in return for the city presenting the Navy’s shore

establishment HMNZS PHILOMEL with a Charter.

A Charter grants a ceremonial Freedom of the City, in the case of a military the right to march through a city’s streets with drums beating, colours unfurled, swords drawn and bayonets fixed.

TE KAHA originally received her charter in 1997, the year the ship was commissioned in to RNZN service. PHILOMEL no longer had a charter, following the amalgamation of the region’s local bodies as Auckland Council in 2010.

It was a wet Thursday morning in Auckland when the parade personnel assembled in Greys Ave to form up by the Town Hall for their march to nearby Aotea Square, but the rain held off for the ceremony.

The parade marched on to the square and formed up just before 9.30am. Following the detailed order of events, Chief of Navy RADM Jack Steer arrived at the awning and dais shortly afterwards, followed by Auckland Mayor Len Brown.

TE KAHA’s Commanding Officer, CDR Simon Griffith, took the ship’s Charter from its casket and presented it to Mr Brown. The mayor then presented the new Charter to PHILOMEL Commanding Officer CAPT Maxine Lawes, who put it in the casket.

Following the ceremony, the mayor, CN and VIPs retired to the Town Hall for morning tea.

Above: On parade with the Freedom of the City.

Middle: CO HMNZS PHILOMEL CAPT Maxine Lawes, CN RADM Jack Steer and Mayor Len Brown.

Left: The Navy Band plays.

auckland charter Parade ceremonya tradition going back centuries

23CharTer ParaDe

Left from top to bottom: CO TE kAHA CDR Simon Griffiths takes the ship’s Charter from its casket.

CDR Griffiths hands the Charter to Mayor Len Brown.

Mayor Len Brown hands over the new Charter to CO HMNZS PHILOMEL, CAPT Maxine Lawes.

CAPT Lawes places the new charter in its casket.

History of charter paradesThe custom of granting freedom of a city is old, of European origin and evolves from an army, rather than a naval background.

From the middle ages, kings used to divide their kingdoms among a few nobles who were responsible for providing armed men, should the case arise. In the main the land that was allocated came under the total authority of the noble, who drew his revenue from the land. To split the power base of the nobles, the land granted to them was dispersed among several regions. Combined with the division of the land between several nobles, this ensured that no one of them would have sufficient power and armed forces to challenge the throne. Between the nobles there were frequent disagreements, often leading to armed conflict. Coupled with the ever-present threat of foreign invasion towns and cities were fortified and armed parties from other areas excluded.

With the passage of time, standing armies developed, with a base in a specific region, loosely conforming to what is now the regimental system. Even so, the regimental base was contained in a single city. It therefore became a privilege for a regiment to be granted the right to enter another city, fully armed and ready for action.

The elements of the charter refer to the right to march through the street with drums beating, colours unfurled, swords drawn and bayonets fixed. These elements had major significance in the past. The drum was the main method of conveying orders on the battlefield (and at sea); the colours designated the location of the commander and the weapons were ready for combat. Having an armed party thus ready for action put the local populace at its mercy, able to be captured, raped, pillaged and the like.

In modern times the granting of the freedom of a city has become a means whereby the civic authority can express a close relationship with a regiment. This is reciprocated by for example, the regiment having officers attend the mayor on official occasions.

Our Navy’s link with this old custom is fairly recent, mainly since World War II. Prior to this there were the odd instance of towns and cities adopting ships, but this was more of a nature of providing small luxuries for the ship with which an association had developed. During WW II some effort was made in Britain to develop links between towns and cities with specific ships, despite the difficulties of wartime conditions, to help raise and maintain civilian morale.

And thus this was the foundation for the Charter Parades and rights of the Freedom of the City.

Above: On parade with the Freedom of the City.

24 news

Commodore John Martin has been selected as the next Chief of Navy, replacing Rear Admiral Jack Steer who will retire on 30 November. Defence Minister

Gerry Brownlee made the announcement on 1 September.

CDRE Martin joined the RNZN as a radar plotter in 1979 and has had a wide variety of roles, including command of HMNZS TE KAHA from 2001 until August 2003. He is at present Assistant Chief Capability for the NZ Defence Force and prior to that he was Maritime Component Commander.

CDRE Martin says it’s an honour and privilege to be selected to lead the Navy.

“As a maritime nation we depend on seaborne trade and so we send our ships far and wide to conduct missions from anti-piracy to fisheries protection. We do so in an environment uncompromising in its harshness, and it requires from us the highest levels of professionalism. Our sailors do a wonderful job and I look forward to working to ensure that they are part of a strong and capable unified Defence Force.

“The Navy also needs to get ready for the future because our operating environment is changing. Key to our future is the need to attract and train people from across our society, give them the ability to use equipment that is yet to be acquired, and empower them to defend New Zealand’s interests at sea,” CDRE Martin said.

RADM Steer said CDRE Martin has a long and distinguished career and will bring many skills to the role, including leading our Navy towards Navy 2020 and the strategic goals it sets out and our 75th celebrations.

“As your Chief of Navy, I have been honoured and privileged to lead our Navy over the last three years and plan to make the most of these last few months. I wish John and his family the very best and congratulations on being selected as our next Chief of Navy.”

Mr Brownlee said: “The role of a Service Chief in the NZDF is to raise, train and sustain their Service. It is a vital position, and underpins what both the Service and the Defence Force do for both government and the public of New Zealand.”

The change of command will take place in a ceremony at Devonport Naval Base on 30 November.

CDRE Martin.

cdre john martin will be the next chief of navy

By Jonathan Ibell, NZ Defence College

The NZDF has a new intranet site aimed at transforming the way information on individual learning (training, education

and workplace experience) is made available to its personnel.

The Learning Toolkit site, developed and owned by the NZDC, consists of

• learning information (information, processes and guidance on a wide variety of individual learning matters, ranging from nominating and enrolling on a course through to getting assistance with study)

• the Defence Manual of Learning (the primary source of NZDF individual learning policy), and

• the SAL Toolkit (processes, guidance and support material to assist learning practitioners in undertaking the Systems Approach to Learning (SAL)).

Launched in mid-June, the response from users of the site has been positive, as demonstrated in the comments from a RNZN Lieutenant Commander: “There is so much useful information here, and its uses are varied. Having it all laid out in one place is a) a first, and b) incredibly efficient. A great idea, and well executed.”

Other feedback includes:

• “An excellent one-stop shop for learning!”

• “A brilliant initiative. I really like the look and feel about the homepage and how it’s now only one or two clicks away to the majority of the information I use”.

• “Love it - good design - easy to look at and find things”.

• “Very user friendly, not only the graphical interface but the centralising of resources into a toolkit”.

Chief People Officer, Debbie Francis, has also shown her support for the Learning Toolkit: “The website is a great innovation that provides our people with easy access to material and information that’s critical to delivering individual training and education within the NZDF. As such, the Learning Toolkit is included within ‘2020 Ready’ as one means by which the NZDF is delivering better support to its personnel as we progress towards an Enhanced Combat Capability in 2020.”

The Learning Toolkit can be accessed from the NZDF intranet landing page, either from the button on the right under “HR Toolkit” or the link under “Training & Education” from the top menu, or from the button located on NZDC’s home page.

learning toolkit launched

Using the Learning Toolkit.

25news

Are you a serving Reservist about to complete your university studies? Want to learn more about what the NZDF does in your area of study? The HQ NZDF Reserve Force Internship Scheme will provide 12 selected NZDF Reservists with an internship at NZDF bases across New Zealand. Interns will be placed where their individual skills can best be used and the intern can be exposed to opportunities to further a military or civilian career with the NZDF. At the end of the 14 week placement, applicants receive a final report/reference from their sponsor branch.

Eligibility CriteriaTertiary students who:• are NZDF Reservists, of PTE or LCPL rank and are from either the Navy,

Army or Air Force,• are in their second or final years of study,• are available for 14 weeks from 16 November 2015 to 26 February 2016• are not in paid civilian employment and• agree to wear civilian clothes for the duration of the internship.

ApplyThe Reserve Force Internship Scheme is managed by the Directorate of Reserve Forces and Youth Development (DRFYD), Freyberg House, HQNZDF, Wellington.

For any queries please email reserves@nzdf.mil.nz

nZdF reserve Force internshiP scheme OCTOBER DEADLINE

The Navy Leadership Development Group’s new tohu (symbol)—a kaitiaki

stingray—was blessed by Navy kaumatua Mr Bert McLean in a ceremony at Te Taua Moana Marae on 29 July.

The tofu’s concept had involvement from across the squadrons within LDG at all levels, and a young sailor OSCS Te Name Tope penned the what (stingray) with

support from the marae manager CPO Andre Taikato. This tohu will now be incorporated into LDG letterheads, emails and a unit patch.

The tohu is based on the powerful marine kaitiaki (guardian) form of the stingray. The design encompasses elements of both Maori and Pacific Island zymology and is deemed to embody maritime strength in which all members of our seafaring nation can readily identify with. It is, therefore, an inclusive and representative design for our cultural and ethnic demographic.

The details within the design define the journey all personnel undertake enlisting into the Royal New Zealand Navy. The trainees enter their journey at the tail and emerge with new skills at the head, with the curved design and open end representing the notion of a challenge and the beginning of a career. The two wings represent the force propelling personnel on a journey of finding knowledge and skills within an environment characterised by peace, but, with the ever-present preparedness for war.

The purpose and goals of the Leadership Development Group are well defined; Courage, Commitment, Comradeship, Knowledge and striving towards excellence. Ultimately, the LDG motto is made clear—Preparing tomorrow’s leaders today | Te whakapakari kaiarahi mo apopo i te rangi nei.

Above: The blessing.

kaitiaki tohu for leadership development Group

The Tohu

reservist awarded marine engineering charge certificate

Above: WOMT(P) Pete Ward (left) receives his certificate from CDR Ray McLaughlin.

By SLT John Hilario, RNZNvR

WOMT(P) Pete Ward, a Reservist from HMNZS NGAPONA, Auckland, was awarded his Marine

Engineering Charge Certificate (MECC) after successfully passing his Fleet Board. CDR Ray McLaugh lin (Fleet Marine Engineering Officer) presented WOMT(P) Ward with his MECC in a ceremony held before the Ship’s Company on 22 July 2015.

The MECC recognises that WOMT(P) Ward has trained, and is qualified, to act as the Marine Engineering Officer of any ship of the RNZN.

Before joining the Reserves, WOMT(P) Ward served in the Regular Force from 1976 to 1996. Currently a civilian instructor at the Technical Training School, WOMT(P) Ward has served in the Naval Reserves since 2007, training and supplementing in various ships including HMNZS CANTERBURY, Offshore Patrol Vessels and Inshore Patrol Vessels.

Despite the challenges involved, including finding the time to study and opportunities to train, WOMT(P) Ward impressed the Fleet Board with his engineering knowledge and skills. “It took me 18 months to get to a stage where I felt ready to face the Board” said WOMT(P) Ward. “Normally it would take much less time but Regular Force engineers generally have the advantage of being familiar with most of the current procedures. As a Reservist I had to push harder to complete my training.”

WOMT(P) Ward also thanked LT CDR Mat Windross for his efforts in mentoring and coaching WOMT(P) Ward towards his Fleet Board.

26 news

From the Directorate of Defence Security and New Zealand Defence Intelligence.

Spies like us? With allegations of global spy programs run by the NSA, GCSB and others, or stories of Chinese cyber spies hacking networks, it’s easy to think that spying is the sole preserve of super-powered nations with high-tech capabilities. But the more traditional and personal form of spying, known as HUMINT (Human Intelligence) is alive and well, and has been for thousands of years.

Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and early writings from China, Greece, and Rome describe practices and tradecraft of spies that are still used today. It is likely that spies have existed as long as regimes have. The Bible mentions the use of spies, the Aztecs used diplomats to collect intelligence, and the Japanese used ninjas to do the same.

It’s all very James Bond

Sadly, not true. A Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS) agent’s day-to-day life is far less glamorous. A spy has to live a double life. Unlike 007, they try to blend into normal life. They seek invitations to wider society, with influential groups or individuals. They make ‘friends’ not just with the targets, but wider related communities, hoping to support introductions into particular sports clubs, schools or workplace gatherings. They have to flatter egos and build relationships with their sources; often exploiting individuals’ personal vulnerabilities, all the time hiding their true thoughts and feelings. They live in constant fear of the dreaded 3am knock at the door from security services and can be separated from true friends, family and country for decades. The reward is often not much more than an average government salary, but this is a job they have chosen either for the adventure and travel, or a sense of purpose and duty. The best will remain covert for years and climb to positions of influence in governments and militaries. Or so I’m told…

Yeah... nah… not me.

If you’re thinking “spies are not interested in me” you are very much mistaken. Whilst senior staff officers are the obvious target, it is often more worthwhile to target the assistants and even the bag carriers. As far back as 500 BC, military strategist Sun Tzu wrote “you must first know the names of the defensive commander, his assistants, staff, door guards and attendants. You must have our spies search out and learn them all.” Seemingly innocuous information gathered from different sources can provide a spy with a much clearer picture of events, operations, capabilities or vulnerabilities. Countering spiesIdentifying and countering spying is challenging. Some FIS agents will be known to security organisations through prior counter-intelligence activities, others will not. To combat this, Directorate of Defence Security relies on the reports of NZDF personnel who may be the target of FIS activity. The reporting of security incidents is vitally important. Recruitment ‘advances’ can be in any social setting, while travelling or even over the internet, and you will be the only one who can tell if things feel a bit strange. Security organisations would prefer to be deluged with hundreds of false leads than miss a chance to identify a spy or security concern. With this in mind, please let the Directorate of Defence Security know of any unusual incidents: a stranger knowing personal information about you, intense questioning about your job, repeated encounters with a foreign national, or a meeting at a pub that fails the “Spyometer” test (see diagram). Report anything that makes you think “that was a little weird”. Use the reporting forms on the DDS intranet website, contact DDS directly, or contact your Unit Security Officer.

Chief of Defence Force LTGEN Tim Keating and New Zealand Rugby have announced that the tri-service New Zealand

Defence Force rugby team will now be known as the Defence Blacks.

The new name comes before a commemorative tour in Europe by the Defence Blacks.

On 29 September the team plays a French selection in Paris, commemorating a match in 1917 where the NZ Division played a French military side in front of 60,000 people.

On 3 October the team will play a one-off match in the Dave Gallaher Memorial Tournament against the Belgium national team. From there the team goes to the United Kingdom for the International Defence Force Rugby World Cup (IDRC).

The Defence Blacks are in Pool 1 with Japan, Fiji, and the Royal Navy. Their first game is against the Japanese Self Defence Force on 8 October.

LTGEN Keating said the new name for the team acknowledges the long-standing tradition of rugby in the Defence Force, with the first recorded match involving New Zealand troops in December 1914.

“After the end of the First World War, New Zealand soldiers won what is now recognised as the first Rugby World Cup, fielding 13 former or future All Blacks.

“It is fitting that the NZDF rugby team returns to Great Britain as part of the New Zealand Rugby family as the Defence Blacks,” LTGEN Keating said.

“We have a long history with rugby. Down the years it has helped contribute to our military effectiveness, teaching important values and skills and serving as a valuable respite for those on active duty.”

While in Europe the team will also take part in a number of services to acknowledge the sacrifice of 700 New Zealand soldiers who died in the 1917 Battle of Messines.

Naming the team the Defence Blacks is the latest step in a long and proud tradition of the Armed Services’ association with rugby.

It is estimated that 20,000 to 30,000 rugby players and officials served with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the First World War. Of the 50 All Blacks who went to war, 13 did not return.

Though New Zealand troops played rugby throughout the conflict, the most famous match was after the war, in 1919, when a Services team beat a team from the rest of the world and the British Forces to win what is recognised as one of the first international rugby tournaments.

defence Blacks new name for nZdF rugby team

The Spyometer

security matters issue 2—sPies like us

27news

By LTCOL Gordon Milward

The New Zealand Defence College deployed a four-person Mutual Assistance Training Team (MATT) from its Institute

of Leader Development (ILD) in June to conduct a Leader Development Workshop in Papua New Guinea, New Zealand’s second largest regional neighbour after Australia and one of the most culturally diverse nations on earth.

The personnel were W/O Dave Deans (ILD MATT Manager and Facilitator), LT CDR Emma Broederlow RNZN (Program Designer and Facilitator), LTCOL Gordon Milward (SNO and Facilitator) and LTCOL Rob Hoult (Senior Facilitator).

ILD MATT deployed for a total of seven days to conduct the workshop for the senior leadership of the PNG Defence Force. The deployment was in response to a request from the PNGDF Chief of Defence Force, Brigadier General Gilbert Toropo to assist the PNGDF to develop its own Leader Development Framework similar to the NZDF LDF.

The leader development workshop was conducted over three days, in a local motel set in the bush beside the Sogeri River,

at Laloki on the approaches to the Kokoda Trail, some 25kms miles outside of Port Moresby. Twenty-six participants from the senior executive level of the PNGDF and PNG Department of Defence attended and actively participated for the full three days. With the backdrop of the Sogeri River in full flood, a razor wire patrolled perimeter fence, exotic bird calls echoing from the giant trees surrounding the conference area, bemused but very friendly and helpful local staff, and the constant whir of fans keeping the 38 degree humid air at bay, the workshop ran without a hitch.

The program covered many aspects of the NZDF LDF, including an introduction to the concepts of strategic self awareness, systems thinking, leading change and consideration of how culture impacts organisations. Anecdotal feedback from participants including CDF PNGDF and his senior executives was highly complementary.

So inspired were the attendees that CDF PNGDF and all attendees (including the ILD MATT caught up in the spirit of the moment) signed the Laloki Declaration which commits to a new age of leadership in the PNG Defence Organisation (PNGDO) [the PNGDO encompasses both the PNGDF and the PNG DoD]. All members of the ILD MATT feel privileged to have been involved in something that could potentially become transformational for the PNGDO.

Facilitating leadership on the approaches to the kokoda trail

By Ian Bateman, manager external relationships and qualifications, NZ Defence College

As a professional Force for New Zealand, the NZ Defence Force puts professional training and education at the top of

its priority list. Talent management and structured qualification pathways are an integral part of the NZDF’s talent management and HR strategies, with opportunities being developed that will allow personnel to focus on their military careers and operational responsibilities and still achieve qualification recognition over time.

The NZ Defence College Qualifications Team, in a joint initiative with The Skills Organisation, has developed an on-line competency recognition programme at diploma level that has been developed for mid level personnel (Warrant Officer, LT CDR equivalent and above) and is fully aligned to NZDF rank/role and competency outcomes.

Personnel gain the National Diploma in Business Level 5 as a result of NZDF training, their own experience and a proven work record. We recognise that many of our personnel already receive excellent training earlier in their military careers via promotion courses and on-job experience. We wanted to capture this to help our people gain qualification recognition to assist them when they do eventually decide to transition back into NZ society.

The National Diploma in Business is a 120- credit programme typically requiring two years to complete through a tertiary institute at a cost of approximately $8000. Through the introduction of this innovative programme, there is no cost (or study) for this programme for eligible NZDF personnel.

The qualification builds on the National Certificate in Business (First Line Management). Personnel now have a stair-casing pathway throughout their career, leveraging off NZDF and Service training and leadership development frameworks, to reduce the amount of extramural study needed to gain qualifications. That pathway now extends from entry level certificates all the way to undergraduate degree opportunities.

Feedback from course participants has been positive, with many noting how simple the process was for them to participate and complete the qualification.

As one participant, Warrant Officer Gilvrey Mohi said, “Achieving a National Diploma in Business based purely on what I have done in my naval career has provided me with a real feeling of satisfaction, and I now have a platform to base my future study aspirations on.”

Seven hundred of 1162 eligible personnel have now completed the attestation and will graduate in early 2016. This is a significant opportunity for serving military personnel to receive civilian qualification recognition. Future eligibility is gained on promotion and after completing a successful annual NZDF PDR appraisal.

For those considering further study, holding this Business Diploma provides a 90 credit exemption for those wanting to undertake Bachelor in Applied Management Degree from a range of tertiary providers.

Further information on the course can be found at the Defence College ILP site.

Great new diploma programme for mid-level personnel

Above: Four Navy personnel with their National Diploma in Business Level 5 certificates, from left CPO Henry Matangi, LT CDR Christopher Smith, CDR Emma Grant and WO Joseph Gray.

28 PosTCarD anD LeTTers

letters to the editorI read with interest your article re the Navy Museum in the August

Issue of Navy News! About 18 moths ago my wife and I were taking a look at the museum and I was particularly interested in the ACHILLES display as my late Dad was a gunner on ACHILLES during the Second World War. I was looking at some photos on the wall and I looked at one which had a group of men in it with the caption underneath to the effect, members of the No 1 gun crew resting after a fire mission! And you would not believe it, but my father, the late William Edward Thurston Snr is sitting right in the middle with his shirt off. I called my wife and said to her, who do you reckon that is?

She exclaimed with excitement “That’s your Dad!” With that I ran to the counter and told the girls on duty what I had just found, an actual photograph of my Dad on active service! About two weeks later I received in the post a copy of that photograph and it now takes pride of place on top of a china cabinet with other memorabilia of my Dad’s as a tribute to him. I am very proud of the aforementioned photograph and give thanks to the Navy Museum, without whose existence I would never have found this precious photograph!

William Thurston Jnr

I wonder if you can pass our congratulations to the TE KAHA team who boarded the dhow and found the massive drug cache (Navy Today

Issue 191)? The article spells out the challenges to get to the cache and I really identified with the story and the smell of diesel. I used to work offshore as a hydrographic surveyor in SE Asia 1980-1985 and to this day if I get on a rolling boat and smell diesel I am seasick. So well done to the personnel that did that task. It’s appreciated.

Gary Chisholm, Christchurch

It was with some sadness I read of the death of CAPT Ian Bradley in Navy Today Issue 191. In the 1970s and 1980s I worked for a company

called Kempthorne Medical Supplies Ltd. In 1982, management organised our annual staff training conference at the Ruapehu Chateau. Because we had in the company many ex RNZN and ex RNZNVR and some serving VR personnel (Including CDR. W A O Martin, father of John), the conference was organised along naval lines with 24hr clock and so on. The management invited CAPT Bradley to speak at the dinner. He spoke of his perspective on the Falklands War. I remember all staff greatly appreciated his candour and wit. Thank you also for your high standard of production of Navy Today.

Ahi Kaa!

Don Wards (ex NZV 106255), Te Awamutu

From Lt Ross Hickey, RNZN

Leading Combat System Specialist Boyd Forsyth and I were deployed to Bahrain in May to take part in a multinational

counter-piracy mission for three-and-a-half months. We have been working as part of Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151), whose primary aim is to target piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the east coast of Somalia.

CTF 151 is currently under the command of Rear Admiral Hiroshi Ito of the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force. This is significant because this marks the first time the Japanese have taken command of a multi-national task force since World War II. CTF151 also includes representatives from Australia, the Netherlands, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and Saudi Arabia.

LCSS Forsyth and I have been working alongside Japanese officers, keeping a 24-hour watch of CTF-151’s operations. The Battle Watch plays a crucial support role and comprises three teams, with each team consisting of the Battle Watch Officer and his assistant.

A typical watch involves monitoring five international naval ships working in direct support to CTF-151 and commanding them to respond to reports of piracy. One of our duties is to monitor communications to ensure instructions or requests from the Commander or units are relayed in a timely manner to the different subordinate units. We also ensure the task force conducts boardings and informs merchant vessels about best maritime practices. Another key responsibility is to ensure task force units inform fishermen about our role and best practices to reduce the frequency of false alarms.

The Battle Watch also monitors and communicates with the units and records hourly updates from them as well as the weather reports. We prepare daily command update briefs and morning briefs for the Combined Maritime Forces. We coordinate

Replenishment at Sea for CTF units and respond to piracy reports as well as Survival of Life at Sea (SOLAS) situations.

Working alongside the Japanese in this historic and successful mission is an experience we will never forget. We enjoy working in the naval support base at Bahrain, which is a very large base and home of the US Fifth Fleet. In the past three months, we’ve had the pleasure of being invited to the Japanese ambassador’s residence and to RADM Ito’s apartment for several functions.

Fortunately, connectivity is not a problem so we’ve managed to stay in touch with our families regularly. It was great to swap stories about the summer here in Bahrain, where temperatures sometimes reach 51 degrees, and the horribly cold New Zealand winter. Thankfully, it will be spring when we get home.

POSTCARD AND LETTERS

Postcard from Bahrain

Above: From left LCSS Forsyth, RADM Ito and LT Hickey outside the US Naval Forces Central Command building on the US Naval Support Base in Bahrain.

Top: The three Navy personnel who joined the Aumangea programme, from left ADR Luke Leadbetter, ACWS Sarah Freeman and ADR Jamie Howden.

Above: Participants in Aumangea 15/02.

aumanGea a BiG challenGe well worth takinG

If you believe you can complete the course, fill in a nomination form and take that thought with you—it will come in handy somewhere out in the bush. Don’t forget to pack your sense of humour.

But truly if you want to succeed, you will. It’s as simple as that – and Aumangea will encourage you to believe it.

ADR LUkE LEADBETTER:I love to be challenged. Although my career as a diver has continued to challenge me, I wanted a different kind of challenge. I wanted to better myself as a diver and sailor.

I found parts of the course bearable and others threw me completely out of my known environment. However every aspect of the course gave me the opportunity to win, regardless of the circumstances. This is a concept that I believe is invaluable for the modern day soldier. Irrespective of any operation and exercise, the consequence of not winning could potentially be devastating.

It would be easy for sailors to turn away from Aumangea. All I can do is encourage you to give it a go. Regardless of age, gender, rank or trade, if you’re military this course is for you. Aumangea is an opportunity to discover your limits, barriers and abilities to win through any environment, any situation and any discomfort. I can’t imagine anyone regretting it. You will develop skills in leadership, enhance your resourcefulness, leave with solid friends and become a better version of yourself.

Aumangea definitely seems to throw some unanswered questions around. For those who are unaware, Aumangea is an NZDF programme that recently welcomed RNZN

personnel to join. Aumangea is the Maori term for resilience and it is a well suited word to match the ensuing month-long course.

On June 19 ADR Luke Leadbetter, ADR Jamie Howden and ACWS Sarah Freeman successfully completed the Aumangea 15/02 programme. All three recommend the course very highly to anyone and everyone. The course is intricately and purposefully designed to challenge participants to persevere through harsh and demanding conditions—ultimately with the objective to win.

ADR JAMIE HOWDEN:My experience of the winter Aumangea course was varied. It’s very much about physical and mental endurance but it’s also about working in a tight-knit group, enduring the group’s personalities and them enduring you.

Resilience is the key word here, because after the course much of what you do day to day will seem easy. Yes, you might be at sea, on dive course, at action stations or doing watches etc. However you can always count that you’ve been fed that day and will get some sleep eventually.

Compared to being outside with a reliance on a fire for warmth/food (providing the tactical and environmental situation allows). Aumangea gives the operator the ability to draw on their experiences and learnings from the course and apply them to a real working and training environment.

ACWS SARAH FREEMAN:Aumangea has certainly been one of the best decisions of my life. I have walked away from a wet, cold and hungry month with an attitude ready for anything.

The programme will draw out any secrets your body has been hiding from you—not just physically but predominantly mentally. You will face situations where mentality is 90 per cent of what will get you through the day. Be prepared to be uncomfortable— hunger will suddenly become very real, the onset of hypothermia will present itself on more than one occasion and uncanny missions will be your new orientation! Turn up ready to pack-march and cover some serious ground. Otherwise there isn’t much I can reveal about the course but I can dare you to do it.

hmnZs endeavour new symbol of command

ENDEAVOUR

Taranaki hapu Ngati Te Whiti has presented HMNZS ENDEAVOUR with a new Symbol of Command reflecting the close relationship between the ship and her home port

New Plymouth.

The formal gifting ceremony of Nga-motu—a pou (staff) carved from kahikatea (New Zealand white pine)—was held in Port Taranaki on 14 August.

It was presented by the hapu in front of a large gathering including the Mayor of New Plymouth, Mr Andrew Judd.

It was one of the last official duties of the ship’s Commanding Officer, CDR Sandra Walker, who handed the pou, and the ship, to CDR Martin Doolan the following week.

ENDEAVOUR’s previous Symbol of Command was a Nuiean spear.

“As every other ship in the New Zealand Navy has a Maori symbol, we wanted to come to ENDEAVOUR’s home port and create a Symbol of Command that would endure beyond this ship’s life,” CDR Walker told Radio New Zealand at the ceremony.

Reaffirming the ship’s bond with Ngati Te Whiti through the pou before relinquishing command had personally been very important to her, she added.

Ngati Te Whiti are the tangata whenua of New Plymouth. Their rohe runs from the Herekawe Stream on the western outskirts of the city to the Waiwhakaiho River near the eastern border, and inland to the summit of Mount Taranaki. In mid-2017 their new marae, on the foreshore immediately in front of Port Taranaki, will be completed.

CDR Walker was supported at the ceremony by Navy kaumatua Bruce Pukepuke, Maori Cultural Advisor WOSCS Jack Rudolph and the ship’s Lady Sponsor LT CDR Janet Wrightson-Lean and her husband David.

LT CDR Wrightson-Lean, who is also the Resident Naval Officer in New Plymouth, and CDR Walker worked closely with the hapu through Mr Shaun Keenan, CEO of Ngati Te Whiti Whenua Topu Trust, to produce the Symbol of Command.

The relationship became strong as the parties discussed and agreed on various elements to be represented on the new staff, which was carved over 18 months by Ngati Te Whiti contemporary artist Mr Darcy Nicholas.

The symbolism in the carvings includes depictions of Mt Taranaki, Paritutu and three other islands off the coast, Tumatauenga (the spiritual protector and kaitiake of our naval ships) and seven warriors and waka representing the seven iwi in Taranaki. Raukura feathers lead to the New Zealand white ensign and crown.

“To leave my office having established this new relationship with Ngati Te Whiti means more than anything,” CDR Walker said to Radio New Zealand. “ENDEAVOUR has one of the strongest relationships with its home port and this just strengthens it further.”

Above: LT CDR Wrightson-Lean and CDR Walker with the pou.

Top: From left, Navy kaumatua Mr Bruce Pukepuke, Ngati Te Whiti kaumatua Mr Rangikotuku Rukuwai, CDR Walker with Nga-motu and New Plymouth Mayor Mr Andrew Judd.

fLeeT ProGress

FLEET PROgRESS

CDR Martin Doolan assumed command of HMNZS ENDEAVOUR from CDR Sandra Walker in a ceremony at Devonport Naval Base on 19 August.

CDR Walker had been Commanding Officer since November 2012 and recently returned the ship from a five-month deployment in south-east Asia and Australia, where ENDEAVOUR took part in Exercise Talisman Sabre.

During the ceremony, CDR Walker presented CDR Doolan with the ship’s new Symbol of Command—Nga-motu, a staff or pou—which CDR Walker received just the previous Friday in New Plymouth (see accompanying story)

Welsh-born CDR Doolan was educated at Whitchurch High School and later at the University of East Anglia. He joined the Royal Navy in 1984. After completing basic training at Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth, his first appointment was to HMS NAIAD as Officer of the Watch in 1986, where he was awarded his Bridge Watch-keeping Certificate whilst conducting duties within the Standing Naval Force Atlantic.

Having completed the Ships Diving Officers Course he was appointed to HMS ACHILLES also as Officer of the Watch, before joining HMS ALACRITY in 1989 as the Navigating Officer. He completed the Initial Staff Course in 1991 at the Royal Naval College Greenwich and Principal Warfare Officer (PWO) course, specialising in Under Water Warfare (U) in 1992.

He subsequently joined HMS CHATHAM as PWO(U) and Operations Officer acting as the Flagship for the Commander Standing Naval Force Mediterranean during Operation Sharp Guard (Adriatic). At the end of this appointment he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 1994. Returning to HMS DRYAD to complete the Force Anti Submarine Warfare Course he was then appointed to HMS MARLBOROUGH also as PWO(U) and Operations Officer, before joining Captain Fourth Frigate Squadron Staff as Staff Warfare Officer (SWO) and Squadron Operations Officer in 1995.

An appointment to Flag Officer Sea Training, again as SWO(U), followed before joining HMS NEWCASTLE as Executive Officer in 1998, which included involvement in both Operations Bolton (Gulf) and Kingower (Kosovo).

Further staff training followed in the form of the Advanced Command and Staff Course at the Joint Staff Command and Staff College in 1999 where he also gained a Masters Degree in Defence Studies. In 2000 he was selected for promotion to Commander and appointed to the UK Maritime Battle Staff before moving ashore to take up the appointment as Commander Under Water Warfare at the Maritime Warfare Centre. In 2003 CDR Doolan joined the staff at the Maritime Warfare School during which time he also gained an MSc before completing his final appointment in the Royal Navy at the Directorate of Naval Career Management.

On joining the Royal New Zealand Navy in 2009, LT CDR Doolan was posted to sea in HMNZS TE MANA as the Operations Officer before taking up a shore posting as Operations Training Officer. He completed a short posting as the Commanding Officer in HMNZS WELLINGTON prior to joining the Maritime Operational Evaluation Team in 2011 initially as the Fleet Warfare Officer and then following promotion to Commander taking up the Fleet Seamanship and Executive Officer post in 2012.

CDR Doolan is a keen sportsman with a positive attitude towards physical fitness. In 2010 he became the Coach for the RNZN soccer team before stepping up to the NZDF Assistant Coach in 2014. He is married to Julie and they have twin daughters Shannon and Leah with a home in Coatesville, Auckland.

Above: As Chief of Navy RADM Jack Steer watches, CDR Doolan accepts the ship’s new Symbol of Command from CDR Walker.

Top: CDR Doolan with his wife Julie after the ceremony.

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FLEET PROgRESS

hmnZs endeavour change of command

ENDEAVOUR

FLEET PROgRESS

hmnZs wellinGtonsouth-west Pacific deployment

By LT David Jaquiery RNZN

HMNZS WELLINGTON departed Devonport Naval Base on 7 August with 61 officers and ratings for Operation Calypso and a six-week deployment in the south-west Pacific. The purpose of the deployment had seen significant changes since the start of the year but a fast paced and diverse programme had developed. For many of our crew this was their first time out of New Zealand waters and with the Maritime Operational Evaluation Team shake-down and pre-deployment preps behind them, excitement was building to fever-pitch.

The first stop was Noumea, New Caledonia. Our friends in the French Armed Forces Nouvelle Caledonie rolled out the welcome mat and arranged a Puma flying exercise to sharpen our Flight Deck Party’s skillsets. With a Winchex on the cards, a ship’s raffle was held to determine the lucky crewmember to be hoisted airborne—amid heavy interest and sold out tickets, OSA Ryan Gey van Pittius claimed the prize.

WELLINGTON was treated to a berth opposite FNS VENDEMIAIRE at the French Naval Base and friends made during a period in company earlier this year were re-acquainted. A good-natured yet strongly contested sports competition was hosted by the French, with honours just about even between the two nations—we look forward to the Rugby World Cup to continue the sporting rivalry!

Top: WELLINGTON sea-boat heads away from the ship with a combined

boarding team of vanuatu and Solomon Islands police and RNZN crew.

Middle: The French Puma helicopter flying above WELLINGTON.

Right: Ship’s boat comes alongside one of the fishing vessels being inspected. None was found to be operating illegally.

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33fLeeT ProGress

FLEET PROgRESS

LT CDR Graham MacLean, CO of HMNZS WELLINGTON, and LCWS Nikita Leeks made a visit to the Bishop Patteson

Theological College in Kohimarama, Guadalcanal on 17 August while the ship was alongside at Honiara.

The purpose was to deliver much-needed text books to support the education and development of the clergy who play such an important role in the local community.

The books were donated by the Anglican Diocese of Auckland to replace a stock of books recently destroyed by an infestation of white ants at the college’s Charles E Fox Library. The church approached the Navy through the Chaplains’ Office at Devonport Naval Base. WELLINGTON’s deployment provided the perfect opportunity to deliver the books.

The Dioceses of Melanesia and Auckland have a longstanding historic relationship, and as well as the books, two framed pictures were gifted to the college; one of Bishop George Selwyn, the first Archbishop of New Zealand; the other of Bishop John Patteson, after whom the college is named, who was appointed by Bishop Selwyn to be the first Bishop of

Melanesia. Patteson was ultimately killed in the Solomon Islands in 1871 while trying to stop slave raids.

The small team from WELLINGTON were warmly greeted with amazing energy and enjoyed talking to the staff and students alike. They also spent some time with the college’s kindergarten, saying hello and playing with the children of the college’s students.

Books for Guadalcanal theological college

Above: LT CDR MacLean talking to staff of the theological college

at Guadalcanal with the donated textbooks and photographs on the

floor—with some of the books already being read!

While Ship’s Company enjoyed the sights and cuisine of the Baie du Citrone ahead of sailing for Honiara, an opportunity to strengthen regional ties was gathering pace. Enabled by assistance from Australia, Maritime Police Officers from Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands joined the Ship—the mission: to conduct an overt patrol of the Vanuatu and Solomon Islands exclusive economic zones to hail and if necessary board vessels of interest.

The joint patrol garnered diplomatic attention at the highest level of the New Zealand Government but for HMNZS WELLINGTON the scenario was a familiar one. The whirlwind patrol resulted in four vessels being hailed with two boarded under the authority of the Vanuatu and Solomon Islands Maritime Police. While no illegal activity was uncovered, the integration and collaboration of New Zealand, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Australia to achieve the patrol has been a major achievement, demonstrating the importance of co-operation in the South West Pacific.

WELLINGTON’s assistance on this patrol was timely for the Vanuatu Police Force because their police patrol boat, which would usually be used for this type of tasking, was destroyed by Cyclone Pam in March this year.

Clockwise from Top Left: HMNZS WELLINGTON berthed next to FNS

vENDEMIAIRE at the French Naval Base, Noumea.

CPOCSM Darren Wheat illustrates the use of a surveillance system used in boarding operations and fisheries patrols to Edward Sugagari, Royal Solomon Islands Maritime Police, kalsaf Alick and Whitely kenneth, vanuatu Police.

LCWS Nikita Leeks supervises kalsaf Alick, vanuatu Police, in the use of radio communications with a suspect vessel.(Continued on page 34)

34 fLeeT ProGress

FLEET PROgRESS

(Continued from page 33)

“The combined efforts of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, Vanuatu Police Force (Maritime) and Ship’s Company of WELLINGTON highlight once again the versatility of the Offshore Patrol Vessel to support regional activities and provide a force for good in the South West Pacific,” said the Commanding Officer, LT CDR Graham MacLean.

Following the boardings, the visit to Honiara started with quite a contrast—a reception hosted onboard HMNZS WELLINGTON in support of the New Zealand High Commission. The cheffies’ delicious canapés and the friendly service of Ship’s Company volunteers created a warm atmosphere as the guests mingled. The High Commissioner seized the opportunity to emphasise the shared history, forged during the Second World War, which New Zealand and Solomon Islands enjoy and how New Zealand remains committed to the region today.

With the formality of the reception over, the Ship’s Company jumped on the next opportunity to get their hands dirty. The Visit Liaison Officer had obliged them in advance and a concentrated programme of civic aid, school visits, first aid lessons, sports and a Ship Open to Visitors unfolded over the next three days. It was with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that we departed Honiara bound for the next phase of our voyage, Papua New Guinea.

The over-riding theme for HMNZS WELLINGTON’s deployment has been the central role that our sailors and ships play in representing New Zealand, the New Zealand Defence Force and New Zealand’s interests overseas. Through the actions of our crew, from boarding teams and boat coxswains delivering on our regional commitments, to our chefs and stewards taking on the French at their own ‘foodie’s-paradise’ game, HMNZS WELLINGTON is strengthening the reputation of New Zealand in the South West Pacific. And we’re having a blast doing it.

Top: Some of Ship’s Company in a Honiara classroom.

Middle: CO LT CDR Graham MacLean high-fives a pupil in a Honiara school.

Above: WELLINGTON crew hard at work painting a building in Honiara.

BZ: The flag signal Bravo Zulu, meaning “well done.”Brow: Gangway between ship and wharf.clear lower deck: All work ceases and personnel muster for a specific purpose, such as a promotions or awards ceremony.dit: A Navy yarn.emas: Early Morning Activities—running, swimming etc for new recruits.exped: An expedition to some distant place, often for sport or recreation.Gash: RubbishGoffas: Non-alcoholic drinkheads: Toilets. In sail days they were under the figurehead.helo: Helicopter, in our case our Seasprites.moet: Maritime Operational Evaluation Teamoppos: Shipmatesoscar: The flag signal for “man overboard.” The name of the man-overboard dummy used for drills.rhiB: Rigid hull inflatable boat, jetboat carried on our shipsrig: Uniformscran: Foodwork-up: Intense exercises working a ship up to its full operational capabilities, conducted by MOET.

jacksPeak—navy slanG

radm: Rear Admiralcdre: CommodorecaPt: Captaincdr: Commanderlt cdr: Lieutenant Commanderlt: Lieutenantslt: Sub Lieutenantens: Ensignmid: Midshipmanwoch: Warrant Officer Chefwomed: Warrant Officer MediccPowtr: Chief Petty Officer WritercPoews: Chief Petty Officer Electronic Warfare SpecialistPoPti: Petty Officer Physical Training Instructor

Pocss: Petty Officer Combat System Specialist

lscs: Leading Seaman Combat Specialist

lsa: Leading Stores Accountant

lmt (P): Leading Marine Technician (Propulsion)

amus: Able Musician

adr: Able Diver

ahcm: Able Helicopter Crewman

ostd: Ordinary Steward

omt (l): Ordinary Marine Technician (Electrical)

ocws: Ordinary Communications Warfare Specialist

selected rnZn rank aBBreviationsWith the various Navy trades, the trade has the same title across all relevant ranks, so, for example, a LSCS (Leading Seaman Combat Specialist) is the same trade as a CPOSCS (Chief Petty Officer Seaman Combat Specialist), and so on. Men and women have the same rank titles—a Midshipman or Leading Seaman Combat Specialist can be (and are) men and women. Almost a quarter of Navy personnel now are women, up to the rank of Captain.

noTiCes

MALAYAN VETERANS ASSN. Reunion 23–26 October 2015, DunedinRegistration fee payable in advance, $150. Those desirous in attending, please reply to Ray Wright, 12 McGeorge Ave, Dunedin 9011, email ray.jillwright@xtra.co.nz giving full details; name, date of birth, address, phone, Service, ship, unit, Squadron, eta Dunedin, and any other relevant details.

RNZN Engine Room Branch Reunion 6–8 November 2015, NapierFor details please contact: Dennis Zachan, 12 Norrie Place, Tamatea, Napier. PH: Home: 06 8442201 Mob: 021 673 242 Email: exstokers@gmail.com

New Zealand Defence Industry Association Forum: Defence, Security and Industry–Expanding our Horizons and Strengthening the Trans-Tasman Relationship.17–18 November 2015, TSB Arena/Shed 6 complex, WellingtonCONTACT: contact@nzdia.co.nzWEB: www.nzdia.co.nzAttending will be senior representatives from New Zealand and Australian Governments, NZDF, ADF, MoD, DMO and international and domestic Defence industry businesses. Plan now to attend this signature event focussing on Defence and Security markets in New Zealand and Australia. Trade display and sponsorship options available.

RNZN Diver Trade Reunion 2015 4–5 December 2015, Devonport

For details please contact: Trevor Leslie – trevor.leslie@nzdf.mil.nz or Brendon Johnson – brendon.johnson@nzdf.mil.nz

Loch Class Reunion Plymouth, DevonThe Loch Class Frigates Association UK invites Kiwi Loch Class sailors to join us at our Annual Reunion 2016 in recognition of the 75th Anniversary of the Royal New Zealand Navy. The reunion will be held at the Duke of Cornwall Hotel, Plymouth, Devon April 22 to 25 2016 encompassing Anzac Day. For further details contact Andrew Nunn Hon Sec email: andrew.nunn@blueyonder.co.uk or New Zealand contact Mick Richards email: awakinopoint@xtra.co.nz or phone (09) 09 439 7870

HMNZS WAIKATO 50th Reunion at Mount Maunganui All ex-crew members who served on the ‘Mighty Y’ and their partners are invited to register their interest in attending this reunion to be held on Queens Birthday Weekend 2016. Ex crew members are to do so using the registration form posted on the reunion website, www.hmnzswaikatoreunion.weebly.com, or the HMNZS WAIKATO Facebook page, or contact Kim and Leonie Hinaki at eeltrap@clear.net.nz or 021 020 61004.

All Ships Reunion celebrating HMNZS BLACKPOOL 50th Anniversary and HMNZS ROYALIST 60th AnniversaryThis will be held in New Plymouth on the weekend of Friday 15 to Monday 18 July 2016. Details still to be finalised but application forms can be applied for now. They will be sent when full programme is completed. Contact Trevor Wylde, 146A Ngamotu Road, Spotswood, New Plymouth 4310. Phone/fax (06) 7515595, mobile 027 484 4587, email trevor.cherryl@xtra.co.nz

MAY 1997 Intake 40 year Reunion Auckland May 26 to 28 2017, venue TBAAll BCTs, WRNZNs, instructors and divisional officers who enlisted in or were involved with this 1977 intake 40 years ago. Please contact either Norm Harding georgenormharding@gmail.com or John Leefe j_leefe@me.com

Royal Naval Engineers’ Benevolent Society 2018 celebration 150th Anniversary of the Introduction of Artificers into the Royal Navy in 1868We are organising a UK event to celebrate the Introduction of Artificers into the Royal Navy in 1868. RNZN Artificers welcome. Contact Cliff Fiander, 33 Goldfinch Road, Melksham, Wiltshire SN12 7FL UK, email cliff.fiander@mail.com

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