TE KAHA AOTEAROA MANAWANUI’S TO CANADA BADGE FAREWELL

issue 218 FeBruary 2018 twitter.com/NZNavy facebook.com/NZNavy contents NAVY TODAY ISSUE 218 2018

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 . Published by Defence Public Affairs, . Navy Today is now in its twenty first year of publication.

Views expressed in Navy Today are not necessarily those of the RNZN or the NZDF.

Contributions are welcomed, including stories, photographs and letters. Please submit stories and letters by email in Microsoft Word or the body of an email. Articles up to 500 words welcomed, longer if required by the subject. Please consult the editor about long articles. Digital photos submitted by email also welcomed, at least 500kb preferred.

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EDITOR: Andrew Bonallack Defence Public Affairs HQ NZ Defence Private Bag, Wellington, New Zealand E: [email protected]

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PRINT: As part of a Government multi-agency initiative the NZDF has changed to a single provider for all of its Print Services. This magazine is now printed by Blue Star. Feedback to [email protected] on the 26 28 quality of this publication is welcomed.

INQUIRIES TO: Defence Public Affairs E: [email protected] 04 TE KAHA TO CANADA Defence Careers: P: 0800 1FORCE (0800 136 723) www.defencecareers.mil.nz 06 AOTEAROA’S BADGE CHANGING ADDRESS? To join or leave our mailing list, please contact: 13 ROTOITI’S NEW COMMAND E: [email protected]

14 MANAWANUI’S FINAL DAY

19 WAITANGI DAY

26 no. 6 SQUADRON BREVET

30 SEEPORT FESTIVAL

cover image: 34 BUYING FIRST HOME The 100-sailor Royal Guard of Honour march on to the Treaty Grounds on Waitangi Day.

36 CHEFS IN WASHINGTON PHOTO: LAC Vanessa Parker CHIEF OF NAVY Rear Admiral John Martin

e are on a journey to generate a world class Over the last few Navy for a large maritime nation and 2018 is an weeks we have also Wimportant year in the development of our ability to supported events at compete and prevail, fight and win. We have started 2018 in Waitangi, Auckland a bit of a rush with a succession of large activities that have Anniversary weekend underscored your ability to conduct operations, support and the commemoration public activities and regenerate the crucial naval edge to of the Napier advance our Nation’s interests from the sea. The Fleet Earthquake allowed us Shakedown in mid-January did exactly what it was supposed to showcase our Navy to do – turning our thoughts from holidaying back to the sea to the community. The and the preparations for upcoming operations. feedback about our A new cohort of officers and sailors joined the Navy at the guards, Cultural groups, beginning of the year and are well into their training. Theirs Band and hospitality has is a great gift of service that is willingly given to the Nation come from all quarters and which in turn deserves our strong and committed including Her Excellency leadership. They will be aware of the great adventure that the Governor General, politicians, Iwi, local leaders and the awaits them at sea and in the Navy and on behalf of us all public – and has been extremely positive. Thank you and I welcome to them, their support family, whanau and friends well done! into our Navy Family. Its important that we are engaged, seen to be relevant And adventures abound – some normal and some not so. and considered credible by our community. We operate As usual we have set out on one of our more challenging in a society that expects that our individual and collective tasks, the work up of TE MANA in the East Australian behaviour will be beyond reproach. In 2018, like last year we Exercise Areas. The generation of her combat capability will work to create a Navy that reflects our society. We are is the core task for the whole Naval system. We are all recruiting a diverse range of people. We will celebrate your involved in one way or another, whether in the planning, successes, whether it be conducting anti-drug operations, preparation, maintenance, training or logistic support. The patrolling our EEZ, being recognised for individual readying of TE MANA to conduct operations so that she is excellence. We will takes complaints about poor behaviour able to be called forward should the Government require is seriously and actively address bullying and anti-social a key competency of the RNZN. We wish her all the best. behaviour. We will treat everyone fairly and increase female participation in senior leadership roles. Not quite so usual – TE KAHA has sailed, via Pearl Harbour, and now will be in Canada to undergo the Finally, I want to assure you that as the senior leader in the System Upgrade. If ever there was an expression of the RNZN, I am championing the need to make an enjoyable government’s commitment to our Naval combat force, it is and respectful place to work. I am not satisfied with our in the decision to upgrade these ships to be able to operate organisational culture and I am looking at all options until the end of their design life. TE MANA will undertake to improve it, including reinforcing those parts of our her upgrade commencing mid-2019. Once upgraded institution that have been weakened. I will prosecute those these ships will form the backbone of the Navy’s combat who fail in the basic precepts of self-leadership and who do capability until their replacements a decade plus from now. not abide by our behavioural expectations. We are willing to change and we are not doing enough. In 2018 I will Our fleet is changing too. MANAWANUI has just been continue to go after aberrant and unacceptable behaviour. decommissioned. She has been a stalwart when it comes Join me to do the same! I will support those who complain, to conducting diving operations and being a home to champion change or find themselves outside our system countless sailors and officers who have served our Navy and I will support those who do likewise. Think about how well. I am looking forward to her early replacement. we can be better and support me and our Navy to do more Meanwhile AOTEAROA is beginning to be fabricated in than talk the talk. South Korea in preparation for her launch in 12 months. Yours Aye A number of operations in support of a variety of government agencies are under way and our job is to help them achieve their mission. Agency partners such as GNS, Department of Conservation, MFAT, Customs and MPI are all enabled by our people with their ships, boats and aircraft. I am proud that we were ready to deploy to Tonga and thankful that our well-regarded services of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief were not A J O MARTIN needed this time. Chief of Navy

YOURS AYE 3 TE KAHA’S UPGRADE IN CANADA

Aircraft By Andrew Bonallack Surface Ship to Ship Identification Surveillance Radar Data Link System It’s like handing over the keys for your Aircraft Surveillance house to the builders, says TE KAHA’s Surface Radar Air Defence Missile Ship to Ship Identification Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander Surveillance Radar Data Link System Tuijo Thompson. Surveillance Infra Red Surveillance Radar n 9 February HMNZS TE KAHA took a major step Air Defence Missile forward on her Frigate Systems Upgrade journey Owith Lockheed Martin Canada, departing Auckland for Esquimalt, Canada. Infra Red Surveillance She is destined for Phase 3 of the Upgrade, the installation of the equipment. Phase 1 encompassed the design, while Phase 2 involved the purchasing and building of the Torpedo Detection Navigation Radar equipment, now ready and waiting at the Seaspan shipyardand Decoy System in Esquimalt. This includes new radars, electronic detection equipment, self-defence missile system, missile and torpedo decoys and an upgrade to the hull-mounted . TE KAHA Torpedo Detection Navigation Radar will be ready for tasking from May 2020. TE MANA will and Decoy System follow, with her completion scheduled for May 2021. Naval Laser The upgrade replaces combat system equipment that is now Warning System 20 years old and is difficult to maintain and keep effective against and emerging threats. The work is similar to frigate upgrades for Canada and the UK, and to Australia’s Naval Laser Anzac-class . Warning System LTCDR Thompson, who has since handed over the XO position to Lieutenant Commander Rob McCaw, says the ship sails with a reduced crew. “We’re not conducting the same level of operations as we would with a south-east Asia or Pacific deployment. Our focus is getting to Canada safely.” Once at Esquimalt, the main focus will be to de-store the ship, as much as possible. “We’ll secure a lot of items, but everything that can be removed, will be removed, even in areas that aren’t being upgraded. There’s going to be cabling through areas, a lot of welding. It’s like handing over the keys Missile Decoy Combat Floating Gun Control to your house to someone else, so everything that’s not Launcher Control Missile Decoy Interface required to be there, will be gone.” System The de-storing will take about two months, then the ship is Missile Decoy Combat Floating Gun Control Sonar formally handed over to Lockheed Martin and the majority of Launcher Control Missile Decoy Interface Upgrade the crew return to New Zealand. Over the year-long upgrade, Inertial System Navigation the crew will be getting training in the new systems. “The Internal Sonar training will be immense,” says LTCDR Thompson. “I’ll be Communications Upgrade involved in it. And this crew will be the first to do it. There Inertial won’t be any old, experienced hands looking over them. Navigation These will be the first guys to know it all.” Internal Ironically, TE KAHA, LTCDR Thompson and her current Communications Commanding Officer, Commander Steve Lenik, have all been to Canada together before, when TE KAHA took part in the 100th Anniversary of the in 2010.

4 Te Kaha to canada TE KAHA’S UPGRADE IN CANADA

Aircraft Surface Ship to Ship Identification Surveillance Radar Data Link System Aircraft Surveillance Surface Radar Air Defence Missile Ship to Ship Identification Surveillance Radar Data Link System Aircraft Surveillance Surface Infra Red Surveillance Ship to Ship Identification Radar Air Defence MissileSurveillance Radar Data Link System Surveillance Radar Infra RedAir Surveillance Defence Missile

Infra Red Surveillance Torpedo Detection Navigation Radar and Decoy System

Torpedo Detection Navigation Radar and Decoy System Naval Laser Torpedo Detection Navigation Radar and Decoy System Warning System

Naval Laser Warning System

Naval Laser Warning System

Missile Decoy Combat Floating Gun Control Launcher Control Missile Decoy Interface System Missile Decoy Combat Floating Gun Control Sonar Upgrade Launcher Control Missile Decoy Interface Inertial System Navigation Internal Missile Decoy Combat Floating Gun Control Sonar Communications Launcher Control Missile Decoy Interface Upgrade System Inertial Navigation Sonar Internal Upgrade Communications Inertial Navigation Internal Communications

Te kaha to canada 5 NZDF HELPS IN HIGH SEAS BUST

wo of our Seaman Combat Specialists played a part in a $300 million heroin bust in the TIndian Ocean last month. Working from surveillance information from a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 Orion, frigate HMAS WARRAMUNGA intercepted a fishing boat and discovered 915kg of DESIGN heroin on board. Two Royal New Zealand Navy sailors, posted on exchange in WARRAMUNGA, drove the sea boats to WINNER transport the boarding party and the cache of illegal narcotics seized. The fishing boat was believed to be bound for Africa. LOST FOR Squadron Leader Adam O’Rourke, who is leading the NZDF’s 55-member maritime surveillance detachment in the Middle East, said the seizure WORDS demonstrates the value of having a coalition of countries like the Combined Maritime work By Andrew Bonallack together to promote maritime security. “One of the rewards of being part of this mission is knowing hen Chief Petty OfficerE lectronic Technician that the work of the team has a direct impact on Steven Knight opened his front door on Auckland illegal activity, by taking away terrorists’ income Anniversary, the last thing he expected was the streams. It’s great to know that our contribution W Chief of Navy and the Warrant Officer of the Navy. makes a difference.” He knew straightaway there was only one reason: The CMF is a 32-nation naval partnership that he was the winner of the HMNZS AOTEAROA badge promotes maritime security and seeks to defeat design competition. terrorism and prevent piracy and the trafficking of people and drugs across about 8.2 million square CPOET Knight was one of 10 finalists announced last year kilometres of international waters. among over 250 entries submitted for the AOTEAROA Badge competition, offered by the Chief of Navy to all New Zealanders as a chance to see their badge design mounted Above: A RNZAF Orion remains on station over a suspect on the Navy’s future replenishment tanker and affixed to vessel as a RHIB crew from HMAS WARRAMUNGA the uniforms of her crew. approaches. He was completely unsuspecting when his wife, Julia, Credit: Royal Australian Navy. suggested a catch-up with friends and family on Auckland

6 aotearoa’s badge Left: CPOET Steven Knight holds his winning HMNZS AOTEAROA badge design beside the Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral John Martin. With him are his son Jake, 1, wife Julia and daughter Gemma, 3.

plenty of people around to answer that and she said, just go and answer the door. I opened it and there were seven people, including a cameraman and the Rear Admiral. He said, ‘Steven, do you know why we’re here?’ As soon as I saw him, I knew straightaway.” He said he was lost for words. “I was shell-shocked. I didn’t know what to say. I was amazed at the effort they went to. I thought it was just going to be an announcement.” The formal announcement was made on 5 February. In his competition entry he described how his design, a fishing hook, represents the origin story of Maui fishing up New Zealand. “It represents both strength and dominance over the ocean as well as replenishment and providing for its people.” The ocean, sky and a long white cloud were part of the design, while the fishing line, made of flax, was tied with a naval bowline. CPOET Knight, who is the Project Manager for the Inshore Patrol Vessel regeneration and upkeep, says he entered after his colleagues encouraged him. He was known for “amateur-type” designs in the past, including T-shirts when he was on frigate CANTERBURY and crests to mount above messes. “It never really amounted to much. To be Anniversary over a barbecue and pizzas. Defence Public honest, I was just stoked to be in the top 10, because there Affairs had enlisted her help to set up a surprise visit. It was were some awesome designs in there. her job to make sure he did not see the Chief of Navy and his entourage arrive down the drive. “To me, the prize of the whole thing is having the emblem on the ship, to be seen by future generations of “I just rung up some friends, got our parents, and everyone sailors. That’s the best thing in the world. I’ve been in the was keen to come,” she says. DPA texted her with alerts Navy for 19 years, and I thought some professional would just before they arrived, so she could distract her husband. have done this sort of thing. I just wanted to do my best. For CPOET Knight, catching up with friends was a good This is definitely a lot bigger than doing a T-shirt. This is a suggestion. “She said her parents were coming, and then big deal.” my parents rang me, asking if they could stay the night. Rear Admiral John Martin, Chief of Navy, says he was I thought, this is getting pretty full-on, but okay. It was a impressed by the number and quality of the entries. “It was beautiful day. Then Julia called me to the back room to do wonderful that so many New Zealanders cared so much the pizza order, and then the door knocked. I said, there’s about our new ship that they wanted to submit a design,” he says. “I asked for designs that were simple yet striking, reflective of the role of the ship and uniquely New Zealand.” The RNZN Ships, Names and Badges Committee convened to review the designs. They had no details of the designers so their selection was impartial. The panel reduced the submissions to a top 10, which were given to RADM Martin in December to make the final decision. “While I had no idea who submitted the designs, Steven’s immediately stood out. The fish hook elegantly blended the Maori legend of Aotearoa’s origin with the replenishment role that the ship will be responsible for. “Dividing the sea and sky, I saw the white band representing both a long white cloud and an ice shelf – very appropriate given the importance of the Southern Ocean and Antarctica to New Zealand.” He said he was “surprised and proud” the winner was one of Navy’s own. “I’m thrilled for him.” Below: CPOET Knight’s winning design for AOTEAROA.

aotearoa’s badge 7 FIRST STEEL CUT

By Andrew Bonallack

he physical construction of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s largest ship, HMNZS AOTEAROA, is formally Tunder way. On 29 January at Hyundai Heavy Industries’ shipyard in South Korea, the first official cutting of a steel panel for AOTEAROA was ceremonially carried out, with New Zealand’s design team in attendance for the moment. The milestone step follows the completion of the preliminary design of AOTEAROA at the end of 2017, with the team in South Korea moving into detailed design review, confirming the layout and plans for the compartments inside the ship, and the location and layout of equipment. Top of page: A model of AOTEAROA (right) alongside a scale model of HMNZS CANTERBURY in a testing tank in England, The design moves from two-dimensional plans to a virtual mimicking a refuelling at sea manoeuvre. three-dimensional production model, which is used to Above: A computer-generated mock-up of the bridge verify the design before construction starts. The traditional of AOTEAROA. moment of celebrating “keel laying” is now a symbolic point, as ships of this nature are constructed in “blocks” that are lifted by crane and assembled in a dock. Another important aspect for AOTEAROA is how her In the closing stages of design work for AOTEAROA, hull form will react with other hull forms, considering its likeness as a scale model was recently tested in a her duty as a Replenishment At Sea vessel. “When a tank in laboratories in England, alongside other models ship moves through the water, there’s a wave, representing our fleet. Running accurate model ships in but if you are not careful, the pressure waves of two tanks of water is a means of avoiding the legacies of badly ships are unbalanced and pull one ship into another. So designed ships facing high sea states. the considered alignment of the refuelling station on AOTEAROA against other RNZN ships is critical to prevent Peter Fitness, the project team leader for the Maritime collision.” Sustainment Capability Project at Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, says the tank testing has two HMNZS CANTERBURY, with its relative size, was chosen important aspects. for testing alongside AOTEAROA’s model, to see how they worked together. The issues are further mitigated “We don’t want to build a ship that has a bad reputation by AOTEAROA’s unique bow, combining the features of a on high sea states,” he says. “The tank testing looks at bulbous bow and “axe” bow to minimise resistance the seakeeping capabilities of the future ship. How much and pressure. she rolls, pitches and heaves in high sea states affects the availability to undertake missions. It is also important to AOTEAROA, which will be officially named and launched by understand how safe the ship is in extreme seas. In a sea Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy, is due to launch on state nine, for example, will accelerations throw someone 15 March 2019. She will become operational in 2020. across the bridge?”

8 AOTEAROA update AOTEAROA COMMAND Captain Garin Golding, currently the Commander of the Deployable Joint Inter-Agency Task Force Headquarters, will be the Commanding Officer of AOTEAROA.

APT Golding, who was spoken to in May last year about the potential command opportunity, says he Cis excited about the opportunity and the challenges it presents. “Naval command is an honour. I’m humbled and I look forward to the challenge.” His last ship command was HMNZS MANAWANUI in 2002, which involved two deployments to the South Pacific and south-east Asia. CAPT Golding has served in WAIKATO, MONOWAI, SOUTHLAND, WELLINGTON and ENDEAVOUR, particularly as navigating officer. “It’s a privilege to have two commands,” he says, noting he has gone from one of the Navy’s smallest vessels, to its largest. “I enjoyed my time as CO of MANAWANUI, especially being a , however I’m looking forward to the broader challenges a larger ship will have, in particular bringing a new ship into service. I look forward to incorporating some of my learnings and experiences from my current job into this appointment.” At the end of the year CAPT Golding will join the AOTEAROA project team running alongside the construction of the ship in South Korea. “The project team have done a fabulous job in getting to where we are. In preparation for Command I am anticipating that I will undertake some professional courses, and hopefully I’ll get experience on a resupply ship going to Antarctica early next year. In mid-2019, the crew starts to form, and we collectively will start undertaking the full range of ship- related courses to understand the differing systems and capabilities. After the ship is delivered in February 2020 it will be introduced into service with graduated release of capability during 2020, with full operational release planned for May 2021.” Chief of Navy Rear Admiral John Martin says CAPT Golding’s experience in a broad range of Defence operations makes him ideally suited to build up the type of vessel the Defence Force wants in AOTEAROA. “One that supports not only the needs of the fleet, but also the needs of the wider operational framework. CAPT Golding is a person who is able to readily appreciate and anticipate Joint requirements in the field, and I am confident he will develop the ship’s approach, culture and organisation to meet these operational objectives. He is an experienced mariner who has the competencies to lead our newest ship Above: CAPT Golding is the first RNZN Captain to become in combined coalition operations, supporting the fleets of a Commanding Officer of a ship since 1984. According to RNZN Bridge Cards, Captain IA Hunter commanded HMNZS both New Zealand, Australia and our regional partners.” SOUTHLAND from December 1983 to December 1984. When our four frigates made up the 11th Frigate Squadron (in tandem with the frigate squadrons) the commander of that “I enjoyed my time as CO of squadron was a Captain and referred to as “F11”. MANAWANUI. But I’m looking forward to the broader challenges a larger ship will have.”

CO OF AOTEAROA 9 PROACTIVE SAFETY ADVOCATES professional and personal interest in promoting safety has seen HMNZ Ships TE KAHA and Above: RADM John Martin, Chief of Navy, presents CPODR AM ATATAUA sharing the Safety Award in the 2017 Bevan Wilson (left) and LTCDR Tuijo Thompson with the 2017 Fleet Awards in December. Royal New Zealand Navy Safety Award. Lieutenant Commander Tuijo Thompson, Executive Officer of TE KAHA and Chief Petty Officer Diver Bevan Wilson, Safety Health and Environmental Management System (SHEMS) Co-Ordinator of MATATAUA, were jointly felt empowered and duty-bound to report safety issues presented with the award. in an environment that rewards contribution to safety. The RNZN Safety Award is awarded in recognition The second was to improve the level of risk surrounding of superior efforts in promoting and pursuing safety specific activities such as working at height as well as more excellence. The Navy Safety award can be awarded to an widespread matters; namely fatigue management on board individual, a unit or workplace across a number of areas a unit of the Naval Combat Force. including occupational health and safety, operational safety CPODR Wilson has also demonstrated both a strong and environmental protection. professional and personal interest in promoting the safety, At the time of the award, LTCDR Thompson was health and environmental aspects within the diving trade employed in HMNZS TE KAHA as Executive Officer with and MATATAUA. As the SHEMS Co-ordinator he has a secondary role as the Safety Manager. The citation been dedicated in ensuring co-ordination and upgrading noted that since joining the ship in December 2015, it of existing diving facilities. It has been noted that CPODR was apparent that LTCDR Thompson had both a strong Wilson’s passion for creating a safer operating environment professional and personal interest in promoting the health comes from a desire to see his shipmates deliver their and safety of personnel. outputs in a safe, and effective way, and not for personal As the SHEMS Manager he proactively enforced a gain or recognition. robust safety policy and was a role model for other The citation said the pair were the two most proactive members of the Ship’s Company in his dedication to SHEMS Officers within the Fleet. Their efforts significantly ensuring conducive to achieving the Ship’s contributed to their Ship’s Companies developing a new directed tasks safely. cultural norm of open and transparent health and safety LTCDR Thompson revamped two key area of the Ship’s reporting. As a result, TE KAHA and MATATAUA are safer Safety organisation: the first being cultural so all personnel workplaces with a strong health and safety culture. So When is A Fire not A Fire?

By Commander Raymond McLaughlin At the Command Meeting one of the questions that I asked Director of Naval Safety and Health about was the title piece of this article of “when is a fire not a fire”? The answer to this occurred last year on one of our y the time this is article is published the ships where the “fire” was actually a smoulder. Christmas leave period respite will be or seem What happened was that a bunch of rags had been used to to be a distant memory and we will all be well B apply a coating of linseed oil to some woodwork and had and truly into this year’s programme of activities. In been left in a gash bin. If you haven’t heard of linseed oil the first week back from leave the Fleet Operational before, it is an excellent preservative made from flax seed Safety Officer and I had the opportunity to talk to the - but it has a curious property. Linseed oil dries through Commanding Officers at the Fleet Shakedown Week oxidation and the chemical reaction gives off significant Command Meeting. heat. in the case of oil-soaked rags left in a bucket, the heat The Command Meeting is the opportunity for MCC accumulation will increase - making the rags hot enough to to provide his guidance and expectations to his smoulder at first, then eventually catch fire. commanders for the coming year.

10 safety award WAKE UP, IT’S A BUSY YEAR AHEAD

Fleet Shakedown week is now firmly WELLINGTON, HAWEA and MANAWANUI operated entrenched into the Navy’s January off Auckland, Whangaparaoa Peninsula, Great Barrier Island and the Firth of Thames. They engaged in live- calendar, after the practice was revived weapon firing and general seamanship, communications in 2017. and aviation exercises. Numerous surface vessels and a commercial jet role-played as “targets” in the drills. bout 700 sailors, seven ships and two helicopters took part in the week-long drills to invigorate the fleet and its sailors after the summer holiday break. Top of page: LTCDR Damian Gibbs, CO of HMNZS WELLINGTON, A is silhouetted in front of the ship’s windows , with the Command Ships TE KAHA, TE MANA, CANTERBURY, OTAGO, Aim displayed.

This has resulted in fires occurring on our ships over Being able to take action is a fundamental principle the years, including a fire from this exact same cause in at the heart of whether we have an effective safety HMNZS TE KAHA during the PSU Phase II. culture or not. Although in this latest occurrence the rags were dealt with So when something happens in your workplace, effectively when the smoulder was noticed, neither the either at sea, alongside or ashore and regardless of chain of command were informed or a Near Miss report that something being a Near Miss or an injury accident, was raised in NShair (our deployable reporting tool) for a don’t hesitate - inform Command and raise the considerable period of time. NShair report. Ok, so what - you may well ask. After all, the ship in The “smoulder” that you don’t see any significance in question was “lucky” not to have had a fire, right? reporting might just be the reminder to prevent a future The point is that without informing Command and “fire” on one of our other ships. completing a Near Miss report, we are prevented as an My challenge to you is to prove that you are proud to organisation from the opportunity to take positive action be part of an effective Navy safety culture. and raise or remind our collective awareness of, in this case, a hazardous material that requires specific yet simple * Stated on the container and also within NZBR 149 - handling techniques*. RNZN Ship Husbandry and Surface Coatings Manual

fleet shakedown 11 TE MANA RESCUES BOAT CREW

HMNZS MATATAUA, the Navy’s littoral warfare specialists, carried out safety-of-navigation surveys in the Hauraki Gulf to help ensure the ships and landing craft had freedom of manoeuvre. The drills are vital with a busy year ahead for the An Auckland skipper has expressed Navy, says Commodore Jim Gilmour, Maritime his gratitude for the Navy’s quick Component Commander. response after he sent out a Mayday “Fleet Shakedown Week is a period during which we distress call near Whangaparaoa collectively refresh our core mariner skills and ensure Peninsula on 29 January. that the fleet can hit the waters ready for operations.” uentin Garton, with his father and a workfriend, Ahead of the Navy for 2018 are scientific operations were fishing on board his 5m fishing boat when exploring submarine volcanoes and supporting the the engine developed a fault. Their anchor work on the Kermadec Islands and sub-Antarctic Q wouldn’t take, and an easterly breeze and one metre Islands; a five-month deployment and military was steadily taking them towards the rocky Tiritiri exercises in south-east Asia; the world’s largest Matangi Island. maritime exercise, Rim of the Pacific in Hawaii; and fisheries patrols in the south-west Pacific, Fiji, and the “If the boat had got to the rocks, we would have had to Southern Ocean. The NZDF’s maritime fleet spent abandon it,” he said. “It was just going to get smashed 1000 days at sea last year, compared to 960 days to pieces.” He put out an emergency call, and was in 2016. gratified to hear, “Warship TE MANA” respond. As it happened, TE MANA was in the middle of their second The year also sees the revival of all four Inshore Patrol week of Work Up and were in the vicinity. They told the Vessels, with HMNZS PUKAKI scheduled to reactivate boaties they were on their way. “It was a very welcome in May. relief. I think we would have been far more frantic if we hadn’t already seen her at a distance, and then we saw her coming towards us – that was a really stirring sight. What kept us calm, was knowing she was there.” Top of page: From left, CANTERBURY, TE KAHA, TE MANA, OTAGO, WELLINGTON and MANAWANUI in formation. The Auckland Coastguard also responded, and arrived Below: A sailor works through a toxic gas exercise. alongside with a boat moments before TE MANA’s RHIB. “TE MANA was giving us updates, and that constant communication was reassuring. We were getting close to the rocks , and we were getting quite nervous towards the end, but we could see TE MANA’s boat on the way. The crew’s smiles were welcome sights and we cannot thank them enough.” The Coastguard towed their boat to safety, with the RHIB crew remaining on scene briefly to ensure the tow was successful. TE MANA’s Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander Layamon Bakewell, said it was a pleasure to be able to be in a position to provide assistance, and great to hear that the boat made it back to port safely.

12 REVAMPED IPV READY FOR DUTY By Suzi Phillips

ieutenant Regan Harris, the new Commanding Maritime Warfare Training Centre for the Minor War Vessel Officer of HMNZS ROTOITI, is keen to get to sea Command Course in December. Land carry out resource and border protection in “I enjoy the people I work with in the Navy and the New Zealand waters. challenging operational environment,” he says. “I also like “I like doing that type of work - contributing something of the challenge of complex evolutions, and the planning and value - and working closely with other agencies such as expertise that go into them.” customs, fisheries and police,” he says. “The high standards we maintain, and the level of operational LT Harris was involved with the regeneration of HMNZS readiness required of us, is a challenge and separates ROTOITI before his official Assumption of Command us from other mariners,” he says. “We have to be able to ceremony on 12 December. “I’m looking forward to being operate ships at speed in close quarters with each other and part of a new crew and the Navy family and getting out and practising that complexity gives us confidence at sea.” doing this,” he says. “There will be a lot of new crew starting Over the next few months, LT Harris’ focus will be on from scratch and I’ll be one of the more experienced people bringing together a new crew for HMNZS ROTOITI before on board.” taking her to sea in March for safety and readiness checks, LT Harris grew up in east Auckland and attended Macleans followed by an official workup for deployment. College in Bucklands Beach where he was keen on his sport One of his first roles, along with Executive Officer Lieutenant and studies, finishing with a bursary to university. Richard Easton and other senior crew, will be helping train “My family were always involved in the beach and sea where a small group of new Officer of the Watch trainees on we lived at Farm Cove, and my father was keen on coastal board. “We provide the platform, instruction and assist with yacht racing, so I’ve had an attachment to the sea all my life,” training,” he says. he says. HMNZS PUKAKI will also be regenerated this year, bringing At Massey University in Palmerston North, LT Harris all four Inshore Patrol Vessels into operational readiness. studied military tactics and strategy, logistics and military law, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Defence and Strategic Studies. “I’ve long been interested in security policy Top of page: LT Harris receives his command directive from Captain Fleet Operational Readiness Captain Dave McEwan on and was considering a career with foreign affairs when I left 12 December. school,” he says. Below: LT Regan Harris opposite HMNZS ROTOITI, holding his Instead, he took part in a Navy recruitment experience symbol of command, a pou whenua with Ngati Kahungunu and that inspired him to join the Navy. He did his Junior Officer Rongowhakaata symbology. Common Training in 2011 and his Officer of the Watch (OOW) training at sea on board HMNZ Ships TAUPO, ROTOITI, HAWEA and CANTERBURY, TE MANA and OTAGO before gaining his Advanced OOW Certificate on TE KAHA in 2014. He served as Executive Officer in HMNZS ROTOITI before a post to the Australian Navy in Sydney to complete a Joint Warfare Application Course in June 2016, and to HMAS DARWIN for warfare consolidation and training. Last year he joined Fleet Personnel and Training as the Deputy Executive Training Officer overseeing Seaman Combat Specialist and Dive training, before returning to the

ROTOITI’S NEW COMMAND 13 Above: Ship’s Company for the final entry to Auckland. Dive ship’s service appreciated at final harbour entry

he Navy’s dive ship, HMNZS MANAWANUI, entered them for their support. I had a mental image of how the five Waitemata harbour for her final ceremonial entry before days would go, and it turned out to be perfect.” Around 1200 Tbeing officially decommissioned this month. people visited the ship during its Open Day, to see her for the It was an emotional time for all her Ship’s Company, said her last time. “It was a great closure to the visit.” commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Muzz Kennett. Thames-Coromandel mayor Sandra Goudie says the parade HMNZS MANAWANUI ended nearly 30 years’ service with a day was brilliant. “It was fantastic to see the crew in action. farewell tour of New Zealand ports, including nearly a week of Seeing these young men and women gives us a real sense of events at her home port of Whitianga, starting 31 January. pride, and we feel incredibly privileged to have MANAWANUI being part of the Mercury Bay family.” She says the harbour Her long association with Whitianga was acknowledged with channel was especially dredged to allow MANAWANUI to a rousing haka from local iwi Ngati Hei, a sunset ceremony, a reach and dock at Whitianga wharf, a docking manoeuvre that Naval and supporting services parade through town to the war impressed her. “This is about relationships with communities, memorial, a reception at the local RSA hosted by the Mayor which is really important and can make a big difference to the and a sports challenge with the local fire brigade. crew. I hope we continue to have a relationship, hopefully with “We got to say goodbye to everyone,” says LTCDR Kennett. the next ship, but with the Navy as a whole.” “We wanted to pay our last respects to the area, and thank

14 MANAWANUI’S FINAL DAYS HMNZS MANAWANUI made her final ceremonial entry into Clockwise: No. 6 Squadron deliver the Maritime Component Waitemata Harbour on 9 February after passing close to Commander to MANAWANUI’s farewell tour in Whitianga. HMNZS TE KAHA, on her way to Canada for her Frigate Thames-Coromandel mayor Sandra Goudie greets MANAWANUI sailors. Systems Upgrade. LTCDR Muzz Kennett, CO of HMNZS MANAWANUI, greets HMNZS MANAWANUI sailed past North Head with her Whitianga Sea Scout Annabelle, 6. 12-metre decommissioning pennant flying and received a six- gun salute from Devonport Naval Base. On arrival at her berth, she was greeted by the Maritime Component Commander, Commodore James Gilmour, crew family members and friends, during Exercise Southern Katipo 17), she was commissioned and past crew members. into the RNZN as HMNZS MANAWANUI on 5 April 1988. She is The divers from the Clearance Dive Group acknowledged the third ship to bear the name, which means “Big Heart”. HMNZS MANAWANUI’s final arrival with a rousing haka that Over the last 30 years she has spent thousands of hours was returned with a haka from the ship. supporting dive training; recovery and salvage operations; “To be honest, the tear-in-the-eye moment was coming into survey and littoral warfare operations; and diplomatic Auckland, and the Clearance Dive team performing the haka, operations throughout New Zealand, Asia and the Pacific. with the Ship’s Company responding back,” said LTCDR Some of these operations included blasting in Niue, Kennett. “That was a heart-wrenching moment, the point demolition of unexploded WWII ordnance in the Solomon where it really stuck into me, that this is the last point. It meant Islands, salvage work for the recovery of sunken boats and a lot to me.” aircraft , peace talks in Bougainville 1997/98 and Solomon HMNZS MANAWANUI has steamed 34,250 hrs and travelled Islands 2001/02, and Remotely Underwater Operated Vehicle more than 286,800 nautical miles which equates to seven operations on the wreck of the PRINCESS ASHIKA, times around the world. Tonga 2009. She was built in the United Kingdom in 1979 as a diving support At this stage, no decision has been made on what will become vessel for North Sea oil rig operations. Originally named STAR of HMNZS MANAWANUI, following her decommissioning on 23 PERSEUS (a name she reverted to in one of her final roles February, but a decision is likely by the end of this month.

MANAWANUI’S FINAL DAYS 15 Left: Alyssa Meyer, LT Dave Gibson NZCF and LTCDR Muzz Kennett with MANAWANUI’s bell.

both very supportive of his request. The family, now from Whangarei, were living on the North Shore at the time. “It’s an honour to be on board for her final entry – a very special experience,” says LT Gibson. “I joined the Sea Cadets and never left, so I’ve always enjoyed that connection with the Navy and my Dad’s ship.” His name is among those inscribed on the ship’s bell of HMNZS MANAWANUI, along with a more recent Ship’s bell christening – that of Alyssa Meyer, 10, from Papamoa in the Bay of Plenty. illustrates “It’s cool to be on here and to see my name on the bell because my Dad spent a lot of time here as a diver,” she says. “We slept on board last night and Dad showed me special where he used to sleep when he was with the crew. We also jumped off and had a swim yesterday.” connection Her Dad, Graeme Meyer, had a couple of stints on the ship as a Leading Diver and later as Chief Petty Officer Diver. By Suzi Phillips “It was great to experience this with my children,” he says, having brought Alyssa’s little brother aboard for the trip wo persons with a special connection to HMNZS into Devonport. MANAWANUI enjoyed a memorable 24 hours on In the past ship’s bells were used for signalling, time Tboard in the Hauraki Gulf, before her final entry into keeping time keeping, sounding alarms and sounding Waitemata Harbour. alarms, and signalling ship’s routines and readiness. NZ Cadet Forces Lieutenant David Gibson, 32, was the first Their functional and ceremonial uses have made them a child to be christened using the ship’s bell when HMNZS symbol of considerable significance and they are still used MANAWANUI arrived at Devonport Naval Base in 1988. in ceremonies, such as for christenings of babies born to David is now the Unit Commander of the Sea Cadet unit sailors of the Ship’s Company. TS DIOMEDE, based in Whangarei. The upside-down bell of HMNZS BELLONA stands in St His father is former Chief Petty Officer Diver Ben Gilbert, Christopher’s Chapel in Devonport Naval Base, ready for whose Commanding Officer and the Navy Chaplain were christenings and blessings.

NAIL-BITING CHALLENGE he annual Fire Brigade Challenge between the Ship’s TCompany of HMNZS MANAWANUI and the Whitianga Fire Brigade came down to the speed of a hoisted jandal. The five-round challenge, consisting of a tug of war (Fire), fire hose target challenge (Navy), swim and crane climb (Navy), beach bucket ball (Fire) and flag challenge (Navy) had been tied two-all by the time the flag challenge came along. Going best to 10, the flag spelling challenge was locked 9-all and it came down to who managed to hoist a piece of footwear faster in response to the clue. According to the Mercury Bay Informer, the Navy won the challenge – and the overall competition – by about a foot. Deputy Chief Fire Officer Roly Chaney said they beat the Navy on the beaches but the Navy triumphed on their ship. He also maintains they got distracted by a fire callout in the final challenge. “We’ve only ever won the Manawanui Above The MANAWANUI sailors power on the pull during the Challenge Shield once before,” he says. “They presented us tug-of-war challenge. with the Shield to keep for them – as long as their name is Credit: Sharon Wright. on it - since there’s going to be no more ship.”

16 MANAWANUI’S FINAL DAYS Ice melt earlier than usual in Antarctic waters

By Suzi Phillips

ntarctica was a very beautiful, very extreme LTCDR Gray. “Each vessel needs to get as much of their environment once we got to the ice, says the quota as they can before the season closes, and that means ACommanding Officer of HMNZS AOT GO, Lieutenant they are more likely to take risks.” Commander Lorna Gray. The six vessel boardings, with representatives from the OTAGO returned from her Southern Ocean Operation Ministry for Primary Industries, went well. CASTLE deployment in December, having found “We found the crews were co-operative and were keen and boarded six fishing vessels to check they were to safeguard the industry. They are there to help us when complying with the requirements of the Commission for we were on board and show they were adhering to the the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources regulations,” she says. (CCAMLR) during the annual toothfish season. New Zealand “We found some minor breaches in the regulations and is a CCAMLR member and the Navy’s annual Operation one other that was being investigated further as it involved CASTLE mission supports the government’s obligation. potential fishing outside of the allowed window.” “We did encounter some rough sea conditions on our “The six fishing vessels we boarded were Russian, Korean passage south and had to avoid two weather systems on our and Australian vessels and several were quite far into the passage back to Auckland, so the weather was not ideal, but ice,” she says. once at the ice, the view was incredible,” she says. Highlights of the operation included the teamwork generated “The icebergs were beautiful - they come in so many by operating in that area with everyone coming together to different shapes due to that environment and that creates achieve the aims in sometimes difficult conditions. some interesting sculptures in the ice,” says LTCDR Gray. “It was also a great opportunity to be in the Antarctic Ocean “When we got to about 62.5 degrees south, we started to in the first place – an area that very few people get to and I encounter our first icebergs drifting north. The ice melt was feel fortunate to have experienced that,” says LTCDR Gray. earlier than normal so there were a lot more large and small icebergs and “growlers” (averaging about the size of a car She says the biggest challenge for the Ship’s Company was above sea level), to avoid.” the fatigue due to the environment – both the cold and the high level of almost 24-hour daylight that disrupted people’s The crew had to be particularly aware of the conditions and circadian rhythms, especially for people coming off a late were careful to put on their extreme cold weather gear for watch and trying to sleep. protection. “Boardings were conducted as opportunity allowed, at any “It wasn’t always as cold as we expected,” she says. time of day, because light was available during the night “Sometimes it was only two degrees, while at other times it as well, and the positioning of the different fishing vessels was down to minus 15 and minus 30 with wind chill. We were meant that we did not adhere to a normal daily schedule,” not able to enter the Ross Sea due to the levels of ice that she says. we encountered.” She says the larger ice floe meant the command team had to reconsider what routes they took to find fishing vessels. Time was spent on looking at satellite pictures to determine the best route (not necessarily the most direct route) to reach the fishing vessels. Top left: OTAGO’s RHIB and boarding party have a tricky route to “The pressure of a multi-billion dollar industry with a finite navigate to reach a fishing vessel. season pushes the fishing vessels close to the ice,” says Top right: The boarding party carry out a briefing on the bridge.

operation castle 17 SURVIVING THE FROZEN SOUTH

By Ensign Richard Horne

tago deployed to the sub-Antarctic Ocean in late 2017 to provide support to the Commission Ofor the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), and assist the NZ government in the management of the Southern Ocean fishery. Sending a warship down to Antarctica only happens once a year, so for the few lucky enough to be part of Operation CASTLE 2017, the trip was more than worth all the time and effort that had gone into planning it. “Basically, this is what it’s all led up to,” said Sub Lieutenant Eddy Hall. “All the weeks of training, hundreds of hours of preparation, and huge efforts from every member of the Ship’s Company. It’s finally time to prove we have what it As impressive as the icebergs were, OTAGO had a very takes to conquer Antarctica.” specific aim for their deployment that needed to be achieved For most people, Antarctica and the surrounding ocean before they could return home. Utilising the almost 24-hour might seem like an almost alien and inhospitable place where daylight, the Ship’s Company worked tirelessly to board and only the bravest of souls dare venture, but then again most inspect the fleet of fishing vessels that had braved the ice people are unaware of the copious resources within and for the chance to catch their share of toothfish. With the new around Antarctica. This isn’t only the minerals and oil that lie routine and new environment came more challenges, but this on the Southern Ocean’s sea floor, but also something Kiwis was exactly what was taught in the pre-deployment training, take for granted in our environment – fish. and so nothing was insurmountable. The concept seemed The Antarctic Toothfish, also known as the Chilean Sea simple at first; intercept a vessel, board it, find another one. Bass, was the reason OTAGO ventured down into the sub- Things got a whole lot more complicated once you added ice zero of the Southern Ocean in December. This floes into the mix, and turned a 30-minute transit to the next highly-controlled and fiercely-protected fishery resource vessel into a six-hour journey finding routes around the ice. is an valuable asset for New Zealand, so maintaining its Soon enough it was time for OTAGO to head north, which sustainability is important for future generations of Kiwis. was definitely a bitter-sweet feeling, but the crew were For most of the Ship’s Company, this was the first time happy to get back to some comforts of home. A Christmas they had travelled so far south, and for almost all of them dinner and secret Santa, combined with a quick stop in it was the first opportunity to work in such a beautiful but Stewart Island and , helped brighten spirits and get hostile environment. everyone into the festive mood, ready for the approaching festive season back in New Zealand.

“The oceans surrounding Antarctica are unlike any I’ve been in before. It’s a strangely eerie feeling looking out of the bridge in OTAGO at an iceberg hundreds of times the size of our ship, towering out of the water like some sort of monolith. Its turquoise blue walls eroded and pitted from the gale force winds and huge waves, with chunks of ice the size of trucks crashing down into the deep blue water below. I think the first time we saw one, everyone on board was simply in awe...” – ENS Richard Horne

18 operation castle NAVY CELEBRATES WAITANGI DAY

The Navy is always welcome at Waitangi, White Ensign at the end of the day. Prime Minister Jacinda thanks to long-standing goodwill and the Ardern was among guests standing with the Chief of Navy and Deputy Chief of Navy, as the Navy closed the day. most important charter the Navy has At midday 6 February, CANTERBURY fired a 21-gun salute, ever received. marking the 178th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty n 6 February 1990, at the 150th centennial for the of Waitangi. Treaty of Waitangi, the Royal New Zealand Navy The Maori Culture Group, as part of the ceremonial team, Owas given the freedom to march through the lands provided support for the Chief of Navy during the powhiri of Te Tai Tokerau. The action firmly cemented the Navy’s and performed during the Beat the Retreat ceremonies. relationship with iwi at Waitangi, and this February, that The RNZN Band, essential for the formalities, put on two partnership was on show, with HMNZS CANTERBURY concerts for the public in Pahia. anchoring off Waitangi from 2 February. HMNZS OTAGO Kerikeri School had a treat on 5 February when was alongside Opua Wharf for a Ship Open To View day for CANTERBURY’s Seasprite SH-2G(I) helicopter and crew the public and an on-board cocktail function with Governor- touched down for a meet-and-greet with excited teachers General Dame Patsy Reddy. and pupils. Her Excellency reviewed the 100-sailor Royal Guard of Honour during the Beat Retreat and Sunset Ceremony on Above: The White Ensign is lowered at the Sunset Ceremony 5 February, followed by the ceremonial lowering of the on 5 February.

RESERVIST SAVES TEENAGER

A Navy Reservist’s quick commandeering of a yacht and definitely in a deep part.” He spied a nearby inflatable club motorboat helped save a teenager from motorboat at the yacht club. “Who’s got the keys for at Waitangi. this?” he asked. He and a yacht club member headed out, On the Sunday before Waitangi Day, Chief Petty Officer reaching the girl at about the same time as an off-duty Master At Arms John Burridge, also a senior constable with police officer in a kayak. the Police Maritime Unit, was acting as a Police Liaison The girl, 17, was exhausted. “Her head just above water. Officer for the Waitangi commemorations. He received We got her back safely to shore, and her friends came a call that three teenagers, who had been jumping from down to collect her.” Waitangi bridge, were being swept out in a rip. CPOMAA Burridge, based with HMNZS NGAPONA, “We had one RHIB tasked to transport the Governor has been in the police force for 22 years, as well as General, but it was around the point, two miles away. I the Diplomatic Protection Squad, and was regular retasked them, then ran down to the foreshore to get an Navy for seven years prior. This was the first year the eyeball on the situation. I saw two of the teenagers had Navy provided a Police Liaison Officer for the Waitangi made it back to shore, but the third was 200m offshore, commemorations.

WAITANGI DAY 19 01 02

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1. AHSO Omarama Sutcliffe and ASCS Luther Paniora-Prescott on piping duties during ENDEAVOUR’s decommissioning. 2. ACH Rianna Palmer prepares lunch for the Ship’s Company aboard HMNZS OTAGO during Operation CASTLE. 3. Four Lieutenant Commanders are promoted during a Naval Leadership Board meeting at HMNZS Olphert. Pictured with the Chief of Navy are, from left, CDR Andrew Dowling, CDR Matthew Lee, CDR Rob Welford and CDR John McQueen. 4. CPOSCS Steve Lane, of the Seamanship Training Aids Facility, beside the newly-arrived Waterside Training Facility. 5. AEWS James Butler in the Middle East on leave from Operation TAKAPU.

20 our people 06

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6. ADR William Hullena-Lemon helps set up a towing exercise on HMNZS OTAGO. 7. LTCDR Lorna Gray, CO of HMNZS OTAGO, chats during OTAGO’s Cocktail Function during the Waitangi celebrations in the Bay of Islands. 8. Royal New Zealand Navy Band director LTCDR Michael Dowrick gives an impromptu instruction in conducting as the band puts on a concert at Pahia during Waitangi celebrations. 9. AHSO Ryan Slattery and AEWS Bella Adamson from team “Te Kaha” operate the Bridge Simulator during the Annual Seamanship Competition 2017. 10. AMT(P) Robert Jackson with two willing volunteers aboard TE KAHA during the Seeport Festival in Auckland.

our people 21 ENDEAVOUR DECOM MISSIONS By Andrew Bonallack

MNZS ENDEAVOUR’s 29-year journey Company, HMNZS ENDEAVOUR will decommission”. formally ended on 15 December when she was The White Ensign and New Zealand flag (Jack) were Hdecommissioned at Devonport Naval Base, after lowered and folded, with the Jack presented to the over 800,000 nautical miles sailed. Her final entry to Maritime Component Commander, the White Ensign Devonport was 1 December (Navy Today December 2017). to the Yeoman (the senior ship’s communicator) and Guests for the decommissioning at Calliope Wharf included ENDEAVOUR’s Commissioning Pennant to CDR Doolan, former commanding officers and sailors, while the Ship’s who in turn passed his Symbol of Command, a Command Company formed in platoons in front of the vessel. Pole, to the Chief of Navy. Commander Martin Doolan, ENDEAVOUR’s last The sailors gave three cheers for HMNZS ENDEAVOUR Commanding Officer, heard the Decommissioning Order and, with an about turn, the ceremony was concluded. read out by the Chief of Navy, and, upon receiving the CDR Doolan’s address described ENDEAVOUR as “the order, was piped back onto the ship to order: “Ship’s workhorse of the fleet. For all of us who have served SYMBOL OF COMMAND By Andrew Bonallack

NDEAVOUR’s Symbol of Command, a command pole, is white to resemble whalebone, took 18 months to create. In Erelatively recent in comparison to the age of the ship. correspondence to Mr Nicholas, CDR Walker described the The command pole was formally handed to Chief of Navy pole as “beautiful, powerful and amazing”, saying it was the Rear Admiral John Martin at the decommissioning. It will be start of the Navy’s journey with Ngati Te Whiti. kept at Te Taua Moana Marae for safekeeping until another CDR Walker says every ship over time has obtained their HMNZS ENDEAVOUR is commissioned. symbols and she wanted to reflect the connection the ship In 2015 the then Commanding Officer, Commander Sandra had with Taranaki. “Working closely with Darcy we set about Walker, commissioned the command pole from Taranaki artist creating the pole and embellishing it with unique symbols that and sculptor Darcy Nicholas. CDR Walker, who had taken represent the ship’s fine heritage, and her homeport’s history.” command of ENDEAVOUR in 2012, was in the closing stages Former ENDEAVOUR Commanding Officer Chris Hoey said of her tenure in ENDEAVOUR. At the time, the symbol of the Premier of Niue presented the spear to him as a gift command was a Niuean spear, and it was decided to create during ENDEAVOUR’s visit to Niue in 2002 or 2003. He said a new symbol that had a connect to Maori. The tradition of it is a replica of a small weapon that was used to challenge symbols of command, and the ceremonial passing of the Captain James Cook during his historic voyages to the symbol during changes of command, had come into RNZN Pacific. ENDEAVOUR has a strong connection to Captain practice following the commissioning of Anzac frigates Cook, being named after Cook’s barque. Her ship’s badge HMNZS TE KAHA and TE MANA. references Cook, and the ship’s motto, Ni Intentatum (Nothing CDR Walker organised the creation of the command pole, Unattempted) is a shortened version of the saying on Cook’s discussing the symbololgy with Mr Nicholas, who in turn coat of arms. “We didn’t have a command symbol and I conducted research with his Taranaki iwi, Ngati Te Whiti. decided to keep it as mine. I handed it over to my relief.” The command pole, made of treated pine and painted

22 endeavour decommissions & command pole ENDEAVOUR DECOM MISSIONS

on ENDEAVOUR, we have all played an important, but nevertheless, bit part - a supporting role to the main event, with ENDEAVOUR”. Her first Commanding Officer, Mike Lloyd, said a Above: Bob Pinker (left) and Mervyn Tyree, of the decommissioning was a good moment for the Navy. “It’s ENDEAVOUR legacy. the precursor to a new ship. I’m not sentimental about a piece of steel. Every memory I have, it’s about the people. Those memories don’t fade.” THREE Top left: Three cheers for HMNZS ENDEAVOUR. Top right: The Ship’s Company of HMNZS ENDEAVOUR bid farewell. FAREWELLS t was the third ENDEAVOUR decommissioning for Iformer Navy electrician Bob Pinker, along with former stoker Mervyn Tyree. The pair, who are believed to be among the last three crewmen who served aboard both previous ENDEAVOURs, were special guests at HMNZS ENDEAVOUR’s decommissioning in December. Mr Pinker, from Paeroa, had served on ENDEAVOUR I in 1957 when the ship transported Sir Edmund Hillary and his team for the Commonwealth Trans Antarctic expedition. He then served on ENDEAVOUR II for four years from 1962. Chief of Navy Rear Admiral John Martin invited the pair to sign HMNZS ENDEAVOUR (III)’s visitors’ book, recognising they had been aboard all three ENDEAVOURs, before presenting them with decommissioning coins. It was a “brilliant” morning, said Mr Pinker. “They treated us very, very well.” In 1957, as the youngest ship’s member, he had the privilege of ringing ENDEAVOUR’s bell 16 times at New Year’s Eve (ring out the old, ring in the new). In 2008 that bell tolled the beginning of Sir Edmund Hillary’s funeral. Mr Tyree travels New Zealand in a 13-tonne custom- built motorhome called “Endeavour”, with licence plate number AOG53 (USS NAMAKAGON, which later became ENDEAVOUR II). Above: CDR Martin Doolan, ENDEAVOUR’s last Commanding Officer, passes his Symbol of Command to Chief of Navy RADM John Martin.

THREE FAREWELLS 23 THE REAL THING

By LT Sarah McWilliam, Observer, 6 SQN landings, low-light night operations or utility work over the flight deck, to complex multi-asset warfare scenarios and ull mission, full motion, and true-to-life visuals. When it missile firings. comes to filling out your logbook, spending time in this Controlled from the external instructor-operator station, Fsimulator counts as the real thing. real-time monitoring of all cockpit instrumentation, radios, No. 6 Squadron marked a significant milestone at the end of audio and visuals allows 6 SQN aircrew instructors to 2017 with the release of the SH-2G(I) Seasprite Helicopter drive scenarios to achieve specific training aims through simulator, following a recent upgrade. The Full Mission Flight the external manipulation of the cockpit systems and the Simulator was part of the package when the eight SH-2G(I) simulated environment. Weather systems can be tailored helicopters were purchased in 2015. with complete detail by controlling everything from the sea This is more than merely a front seat simulator. As a full state, precipitation, visibility and wind, to air pressure and any mission system, it ensures that simulator sorties involve the approaching weather systems. Terrain modelling is true to the same crew configuration as in the aircraft. This means a Pilot, New Zealand topography and aircraft handling responses are an Observer and a Loadmaster complete simulations as a true to the real aircraft. Up to 40 other simulated assets and full crew and with the standard dynamics and flight roles that units can be added and manipulated, meaning scenarios can they perform in the aircraft. The simulator also incorporates feature anything from the appropriately-attired the full weapons and sensor suites of the SH-2G(I). personnel marshalling on the flight deck of the ship, to other aviation-operating maritime units, to enemy aircraft, land units With all flights treated as real, aircrew brief, prepare, dress and submarines. and act in every way as they would in a real flight, and take every sortie from engine start-up and departure through to As such, the simulator proves a significant training asset sortie conclusion, landing on at the scheduled flight landing to 6 SQN, one that is set to become a crucial tool in the time, or “charlie time”. As a full hydraulic motion simulator, the conversion and continuation training of SH-2G(I) aircrew. It cockpit and projection dome are mounted on six hydraulic allows both trainee and fully-qualified aircrew to be exposed legs which offer six planes of motion. This is then housed to complex and challenging tactical and environmental within the purpose-built facility that has been part of the scenarios, a training provision that leads to increased 6 SQN headquarters building for the past two years, familiarity and better performance when such scenarios and along with associated classrooms, support facilities and environments are encountered for real. Furthermore, the briefing rooms. re-balancing of training and continuation flights between the simulator and the aircraft will release further SH-2G(I) Installed in 2015, the simulator was initially employed by availability for operations, taskings and emergency roles. 6 SQN with its original software and hardware. As part of CAE(NZ)’s through-life maintenance support package it The upgraded facility now means aircrew emergency was handed back to CAE(NZ) in late 2016 to undergo a management training can be done on-site, rather than in much-needed upgrade, in which software and hardware the United Kingdom annually. The true-to-type cockpit, with were updated to 2017 versions. As a result the newly- external scenario manipulation and accurately modelled released simulator now offers markedly-improved visuals and aircraft handling responses, ensures that an entire crew scenario staging and the simulator is so representative of can be exposed to an unknown emergency scenario, follow the aircraft that simulator hours are equivalent to true flying it through to a natural conclusion, and develop the critical hours for personnel flying records and currencies. With the “” required for time-critical emergency incorporation of a night-vision capability, night sorties can responses, without the “exercise-itis” that acting out critical now be conducted using the aircrew’s night vision goggles. malfunctions in real aircraft can instil. Practically true to life, the upgraded visuals are particularly Mr Dave Carroll, the 6 SQN Synthetic Training Systems striking – appropriate New Zealand airfields are modelled to Manager, says aircrew and instructors have been “biting at the highest of real-life detail, and embarked procedures are the bit” to get back into the simulator, having had a taste of its equally realistic. The recent upgrade sees the incorporation upgraded capability during the thorough acceptance testing of highly detailed and accurate models of the current RNZN process. “The updated system is a real step up in visual fleet units, meaning more complex embarked maritime quality and overall performance and will provide sorties and evolutions can be carried out with significant cost-effective aircrew flight and mission training while realism. This might include anything from high sea state deck reducing the reliance on real-time aircraft and ship assets.”

24 seasprite simulator NAVY CAREERS

What’s under the waves?

Hydrographic Survey Technicians are Above: LHST Dillon Shields studies images sent back from an tight-knit, deployable people going AUV during Exercise FULCRUM in Northland last year. one-on-one with data below the surface.

eading Hydrographic Survey Technician Dillon HMNZS RESOLUTION. He might be a technician, but he Shields, New Plymouth, always leaned towards water- says hydrographers get regular postings at sea during Lbased activities and the Navy was a good choice. It their career, including the traditional navigator’s yeoman was his boating activities, and using charts and working a (assistant) position. They are trained to drive boats, and coastline, that attracted him to the hydrographer trade. LHST Shields is studying for his skipper’s licence. A careers expo in New Plymouth, and talking to recruiters, “It’s rewarding work, when you’re surveying areas that helped with the decision. He joined the Navy at 17 in 2010. haven’t been done. Sometimes our skills are used to search Today, he works for the Maritime Hydrographic Group for missing people, and that can feel like you’re doing in HMNZS MATATAUA, the land-based establishment at something good.” Devonport Naval Base housing hydrographers and divers. The harder aspects of being a hydrographer are learning His team handles MATATAUA’s Autonomous Underwater about the complex pieces of kit. If you like computers, Vehicles (AUVs), unmanned torpedo-like devices that can that’s pretty handy, he says. “You get taught at a basic level, scan a sea floor in a pattern and send sonar images back and you train up.” to AUV operators like himself. It is his job to study the Job attractions include being a small trade in the Navy, the images and the shape of the “shadow” created from the variety of work, and being with a tight-knit team. “It’s a long- scan, measuring the length, width and height of the object, term career, and you are constantly being upskilled. There’s and assessing what it could be. If it looks promising, a dive a lot of qualifications to get.” Travel comes with the trade, team can take a closer look. The team is trained for mine as divers and hydrographers from different countries often countermeasures, but all manner of sunken objects could train together to learn skills. “I’ve been to Hawaii, and I’ve be searched for. just come back from Australia. You’re deployable, on little LHST Shields could operating from a tent on a beach, flyaway exercises like that.” or on board a ship, and in fact his first posting was to

FIND OUT MORE As a Force for New Zealand we stand up for what is right. force4nz.mil.NZ To apply, or to find out more information on a Technical life, trades and intake information, visit the Defence Careers website. DEFENCECAREERS.MIL.NZ Call to speak to an advisor: 0800 1 FORCE

XXXXXXXXXX 25 Golden-winged crew By Andrew Bonallack

The Navy Helicopter Loadmasters of No. 6 Squadron in Whenuapai have achieved a formal milestone with one of their own designing and achieving approval to wear their own brevet (wing).

n 17 January at 6 Squadron, RNZAF Base worn on the right as a branch badge on General Working Auckland, Captain Fleet Operational Readiness Dress, to align with other Navy trades. OCaptain Dave McEwan had the privilege of formally POHLM Taylor took charge of the design and process, presenting the new golden-winged badge to Loadmasters something he kicked off in June 2017 to replace the No. 3 Acting Warrant Officer Nathan Tamihana, Chief Petty Squadron-styled brevet the Loadmasters had informally Officer Maxwell Cawley, Chief Petty Officer Dougie Greig, adopted. “I picked it up from previous loadmasters, who Petty Officers Tiffany Yule and Zach Taylor, and Leading had either had a go and been knocked back, or had been Helicopter Loadmasters Rick Gurnell, Joshua Boon and too busy to do it. I felt it needed to be done, things were a James Drain. LHLM Gurnell was promoted to Petty Officer bit of a square peg, round hole. We wanted something we following the presentation. had chosen, whereas the branch badge was something The design is a hybrid of the Air Force HLM brevet with that had been chosen for us.” the Navy Pilot and Observer brevets. The design features POHLM Taylor, with his Commanding Officer, went to the Naval Pilot and Observer centrepiece, combined with Trentham to make his case to the Navy Clothing Board, and the swift wing, in gold, from the Air Force HLM brevet. the new design was approved. The design, while giving a Naval identity, recognises the significant historical training pipeline provided by the Top of page: The 6 SQN loadmasters with their gold wings. From RNZAF. The metal wings are worn in a natural position on left, PO Zach Taylor, L Rick Gurnell, CPO Dougie Greig, L Joshua the left breast on dress uniform, but the cloth badge is Boon, CPO Maxwell Cawley, L James Drain, A/WO Nathan Tamihana and PO Tiffany Yule.

26 nO. 6 SQUADRON BREVET A MIXED JOURNEY

The journey of the loadmasters’ brevet reflects the complicated and slightly haphazard journey of the loadmaster trade – and its symbology - in the Navy. Formally known as Helicopter Crewmen, it was a part- time trade with flying duties alongside other core duties. It was disbanded in 1998 when the was retired from service. However, a crewman was reintroduced for SH-2F Seasprite because of the radar located in the rear cabin. The SH-2G(I), designed for a crew of two, brought the radar screen into the cockpit and should have eliminated the third person requirement. However, it was discovered that the gap between the front seats, widened Clockwise: The old 3 SQN-style Helicopter Crewman name to allow the Airborne Tactical Officer to climb out of a seat badge, alongside the new design. to access the rear cabin, was a dangerous movement. Advancement in the ranks, as LHLM Rick Gurnell, displaying the It was also realised that the vast majority of Seasprite new brevet design, is promoted to Petty Officer. operations needed a third crewmember, necessitating the CFOR Captain Dave McEwan shakes the hand of POHLM Tiffany full-time capability from 2000. Yule as she receives her brevet. However, the trade was still considered “out of branch” and unofficial, despite being full-time, and this resulted in a lack than drawing from those in the Navy who want to change of career progression. On 31 October 2005, the same day their trade. the Naval Support Flight became No. 6 Squadron, the HCM “That’s awesome,” says POHLM Zach Taylor. “It can be trade was established within the Operations Branch. very difficult to recruit from other trades. Sometimes they Not surprisingly for those aligned with aviation trades, can be reluctant to put pen to paper, or they don’t make the Helicopter Crewmen (which later became Helicopter the cut with fitness and quite high medical requirements. Loadmasters) favoured the idea of a brevet, despite the They can see it as a bit daunting.” The Basic Common fact the trade did already have a branch badge in the Training fitness regime, and the relative fitness and youth same manner as other Navy trades. The Navy loadmasters of recruits, will work in their favour. “The thing we find is adopted the Air Force “HC” Loadmaster brevet, a natural eyesight, and any sort of underlying medical conditions. move considering Navy HLMs do the same 34-week We’ve got to be as low risk as possible.” He remarks that training course as RNZAF aircrew, which concludes with the HLM trade would start getting “long in the tooth” the awarding of a brevet. without fresh entries. “Everyone loves the job, but we The new design, officially signed off by the Navy Clothing can’t supply the demand, and there’s limited opportunities Board, codifies the Navy Loadmaster Brevet as part of the for other postings because we’ve got to meet the correct Navy uniform. squadron’s outputs.” In April 6 SQN will be demonstrating the excitement of their work when they visit South Island schools on the LOADMASTER way to Warbirds over Wanaka. DIRECT ENTRY “We tell students, it’s a

For the first time in Naval loadmaster history, a BCT recruit really cool job. You want will enter the 18/01 intake with “Loadmaster” against his or to be doing this when you her name. leave high school.” The Helicopter Loadmaster trade is now a direct-entry trade via the Navy’s Basic Common Training course, rather See www.defencecareers.mil.nz

nO. 6 SQUADRON BREVET 27 NAVY DIVERS CLEAR DEPTH CHARGE

A team of divers from HMNZS MATATAUA joined forces with NZDF explosive experts to dispose of a metre-long depth charge discovered off Whangaparaoa Peninsula in December.

n initial reconnaissance by the dive team confirmed you can, and bring it to the attention of the emergency it was a depth charge used for anti-submarine services by dialling 111 and leaving it to the professionals Awarfare, possibly dating back to the 1950s, said to handle.” Team Leader Lieutenant Wesley Moir. Because of the age of the munition, they couldn’t tell if it was live or not, and so decided to treat it as live. Top of page: What was left of the depth charge, with the central It meant a dive team, trained in maritime ordnance disposal, portion destroyed. had to “neutralise the threat to the public,” said LT Moir. Below: HMNZS MATATAUA’s clearance divers and NZ Police are briefed on the operation. After the area was cordoned off by police and the harbourmaster, the team, diving down to eight metres, placed a small explosive charge on the depth charge. If the shell had been live, there would have been a fountain of water and a reasonable bang, said LT Moir. However, the shell was a dud, resulting in a small disturbance on the surface. That was a success as far as LT Moir was concerned. “In this instance it was a drill round, which is our ideal outcome. We’ve now minimised the impact to the environment and marine life in this area.” He said the discovery of unexploded ordnance like this is quite common during the summer months. “Drill rounds still contain explosive. So if you come across an unexploded ordnance like this, it really is important to leave it where it is, mark the position if

28 WATERSIDE TRAINING FACILITY DOCKS AT DEVONPORT

By Andrew Bonallack Clockwise: An Auckland tug helps arrange the newly-arrived Waterside Training barge into the Calliope wharves. ur Navy’s newest grey-hull, as wide as an Inshore The barge is gently lowered into the water at Northport. Patrol Vessel but half the and length, has The barge is trucked into Northport at Marsden Point. Ohad its maiden (and only) voyage from Whangarei to Devonport.

The newly fabricated Waterside Training Facility barge, Connecting it to its purpose-placed piles near the Bill weighing 145 tonnes, was towed from Ruakaka overnight Morley building will be tricky, she said. The barge, which is on 20 January, leaving at 1730 and arriving behind a tug in 24 metres long, will be 30 metres offshore, which means Auckland at 0800. the gangway to the barge, 35 metres long, three metres The barge is Phase 2 of the Seamanship Training Aids wide and four metres high, will resemble a bridge. That too facilities being constructed at Devonport Naval Base, is being manufactured by South Pacific Industrial, the same following the creation of the Bill Morley Seamanship makers as the barge. The barge will need substantial ballast Training building two years ago. The barge offers over-the- to counter-balance the effect of the hefty connection. water training where sailors can launch and recover sea “It looks really tidy, and the fabricators have done an boats, ladders, learn about embarking and disembarking, excellent job,” she said. “The quality of workmanship is launch life rafts and provide swimmer of the watch training. really high. We wanted it to look and feel like a ship. It Lieutenant Commander Ange Barker, Reclaiming really is a realistic working environment, that has the actual Seamanship Excellence Programme Manager, said she pieces of kit that you would use.” watched the barge getting launched at Ruakaka but they She hopes to have the barge in its location and connected had to wait a few days for a weather break to bring it down. by the end of March or early April. The move involves the “It was brilliant,” she said. “It felt like a year’s worth of work deconstruction of the condemned seventies-era synchrolift coming down in that one moment. It’s great having it here. docking facility near the Stanley Bay Ferry Terminal, to People can start seeing it, talking about it.” make way for the barge.

NAVY BARGE DOCKS AT DEVONPORT 29 NAVY WOWS AT SEEPORT By Andrew Bonallack

avy ships and expertise wowed thousands who and Auckland Rescue Helicopter. An No. 3 Squadron visited the Ports of Auckland Seeport Festival over NH-90 provided a static display for those wanting to get NAuckland anniversary weekend last month. up close. HMNZS TE KAHA and WELLINGTON, fresh from their Ethan Carlyle, 6, Auckland, said he enjoyed exploring the Navy Shakedown Week, berthed at Ports of Auckland for ships, being shown how to hold and aim the ship’s gun, Ship Open To View days across Saturday, Sunday and and spraying water from the big hose. Off-ship the carnival Monday. Over 6000 people had visited TE KAHA on the rides and slides were his favourites, he said. Saturday. WELLINGTON recorded over 3300 visitors in the space of 3.5 hours on Sunday, and 3660 visitors in 2.5 hours on Monday. Chief Petty Officer Chef Tug Wilson, WELLINGTON’s Duty Senior Rate and on the “clicker”, said there were 1200 in half an hour at one point. He greeted people with “Welcome to my home, my big grey house” and got a lot of smiles. “The public were very, very engaged with us,” he said. “There were a lot of questions. About 50 per cent wanted to see the bridge. We had a damage control meet-and-greet, and fire hoses going, and kids were on that a lot.” He said everyone was on station and ready to meet the public. “We’re proud to show off our ship.” There were a lot of questions about helicopters, although WELLINGTON didn’t have one embarked, he said. As a helicopter transfer officer, he was able to explain how they folded one into a hanger.

Helicopters were a major theme at the Festival, with Top of page: TE KAHA engineer AMT(P) Jemma Smith explains No. 6 Squadron’s Seasprite conducting an airshow to the apparatus equipment to visitors. complement dispays from the NZ Police Eagle helicopter Above: TE KAHA basks in sunshine at the Ports of Auckland.

30 SEEPORT FESTIVAL NAVY HERITAGE SAVED One of New Zealand’s oldest maritime stronger and non-corrosive so it’s more effective and won’t structures has been preserved for the degrade as steel would.” All enhancements to the building adopt highly durable materials and have been applied to future with an innovative earthquake create a safer building and increase its longevity without strengthening technique that slashed negatively impacting the visual heritage of the structure, original construction estimates. he said. he Calliope Dry Dock Master Pump House, which Top left: The Calliope Pump House. along with the Calliope Dry Dock will be 130 Top right: Despite the Pump House undergoing strengthening Tyears old this month, was assessed as potentially (left), life goes on at Devonport, with HMNZS TE MANA easing earthquake-prone in 2013 and needed to be strengthened into Calliope Dock in September. or demolished. It was rated as one of NZDF’s highest Below: The opening of Calliope Dock in 1888. risk assets, but it was also a Category A NZDF Heritage classification and an archaeological site under the Heritage NZ Pouhere Taonga Act 2014. Its function is to pump water from the dock after a ship has entered and the caisson closed, as well as fill the dock to allow the ship to float and exit. The building was vacated, but with the dock still being used, there remained a risk for pump house staff when entering the building. Traditional skeletal bracing systems, to support the walls and roofs were considered, but at a visual cost to the look of the building. A less intrusive approach was to strengthen the walls using epoxy-embedded carbon-fibre rods, and concealed plywood diaphragms to improve the building’s performance during an earthquake. The work allowed continuous and uninterrupted operation HISTORY of the dry dock, and was completed with nil Health and In 1881 Devonport was chosen as the site of the Navy’s Safety issues. dry dock after a two-year debate, with Kauri Point The result, now signed off by Auckland Council, is the or Birkenhead as the alternates. Work on the 162m retention of a useful Navy Base building well beyond its dry dock started in 1885, with 118,000 cubic metres life expectancy, as well as a safer workplace for of spoil used to reclaim land on either side of the operations staff. dock. It was opened on 16 February 1888, the largest Costs were originally assessed at $930,000 based on dock in the Southern Hemisphere at the time, with a a traditional strengthening regime, but the innovative public holiday in Auckland declared. The Royal Navy’s approach saved $220,000. Australian Squadron’s HMS NELSON, CALLIOPE, DIAMOND, OPAL and SWINGER were present, with Defence Estate and Infrastructure project manager Bahjet CALLIOPE breaking a ribbon stretched across the Al-Khudairi said core holes were drilled from the top edge dock. Unfortunately, the six casks of beer provided for of the walls, then had carbon fibre rods epoxied into them. refreshment of ships’ crews and guard led to a brawl, “We also had plywood diaphragms fixed within the roof ending proceedings. and below the flooring. It is similar to the use of steel in reinforced concrete except that carbon fibre is much

PUMP HOUSE 31 Above: From left, LTCDR Nikki Fox, Cassie Flack, SQNLDR Leon Fox and Ellie Fox salute in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. YOUNGEST READER OF THE ODE

By Andrew Bonallack

our-year-old Ellie Fox has watched her Navy classmates joined in, but they didn’t have the passion, the mother and Air Force father conduct the Last Post drive. It was her goal.” FCeremony at Pukeahu National War Memorial On the evening of 8 December Ellie was joined by her on several occasions. But one day she realised no-one best friend and classmate Cassie Flack, 4, ready to do had come to speak the Te Reo version of the Ode of the English version of the Ode. Showing no nerves at all, Remembrance. “I’ll do it,” she said to her parents. Ellie happily engaged with Newshub cameraman Matthew The 5pm Last Post Ceremony at Pukeahu, in front of the Smith, filming for The Project. She giggled cheerfully as Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, has been undertaken daily her mother and the cameraman tried to figure out where since Anzac Day 2015, to commemorate 100 years since to clip her mike and sound devices on her sailor suit, made World War I and the Gallipoli invasion, and will continue to especially for the occasion by her grandmother. She wore 11 November 2018. The public are invited to speak the Ode, her mother’s replica medals, while Cassie wore her great- but not every day is filled, and this is especially the case grandfather’s Korean War medals. with the Te Reo version. In that event, the Pukeahu curator Standing with her father, Squadron Leader Leon Fox, fills the gap. she saluted towards Wellington, and when he squeezed Ellie’s mother, Lieutenant Commander Nikki Fox, enlisted her hand, she spoke clearly to the world, as the northerly the help of Ellie’s day care, Stepping Stones Childcare breeze whipped her blonde hair. Centre in Upper Hutt. “We told her, you can learn it at day “I’m just so proud of her, so, so proud,” says LTCDR Fox care. So she took it on. She learnt it line by line, little by afterwards. “She is a special little girl. It was perfect, little. We were worried at first, then she knew it off by heart. absolutely perfect, from both of them.” She hopes Ellie Stepping Stones was fantastic.” will keep up an interest in the Maori language as she goes Teacher Jennie Adams said they could support Ellie in to school. the learning. “We took her through it, two lines at a time. Pukeahu curator Paul Riley says he believes both Ellie and She took to it, and practised everywhere.” She said her Cassie are the youngest to have recited the Ode. learning was astounding. “It was mind-blowing, really. Other

32 youngest reader of the ode KUPARU ON THE WATER

By Andrew Bonallack crane Hikinui on 21 November 1989 at Devonport Naval Base and retained under cover. KUPARU was moved to “It floats”, posted Scott Perry on Facebook the North Yard in 1999 and sold into private hands in on 19 December, one of the longer days in January 2002. Mr Wright, who photographed KUPARU in his life. Helensville in 2010, said it was doubtful if she would ever go to sea again. r Perry had just launched the partially restored But she has. The 75-year-old boat cruises at 10 knots and former Harbour Defence Motor Launch KUPARU can make 12 knots, provided the engine doesn’t overheat, Min Helensville, an 18-month-long project taken on or the thermostats jam, or an engine gasket blows – all part to rebuild himself as much as rebuilding the badly rotted and parcel of a shakedown cruise. Mr Perry combined a motor launch. three-day holiday on Kaipara Harbour with a shakedown In Navy Today March 2017 Mr Perry described how he sea trial, and hit a number of glitches. “Thermostat, heat had discovered the 50-tonne KUPURU in a poor state on exchanger, alternators stopping – but we managed to keep cradles in a used house yard in Helensville. He had lost the old girl running.” He tried her in swells at the harbour his wife Michelle to cancer in 2016 and was looking for a entrance, saying she handled well. challenge to keep him distracted from grief. The former He prides himself on doing a close to authentic restoration, Navy stoker, helped by his father and his two teenage saying it made things less complicated sticking with daughters, Madi and Nikita, spent long days painfully and what was already there, but he knows now why people carefully bringing KUPARU back to an original look, in converted other HDMLs so drastically. They are working between contracts to keep money coming in. A Givealittle Navy boats, not designed for pleasure cruising, he says. page and other donations have helped, but the move to the Nonetheless, he wants to proceed with a museum-level Helensville wharf during the night, less than a kilometre, fitout, and is slowly, through contacts and TradeMe, finding was still a $30,000 operation. It’s a tough ask for a man original items. He half-jokingly says he would like to see the who left work to care for his wife, then threw himself into armament back on KUPARU one day, for the authentic look. boat restoration. “A very emotional day,’ was Mr Perry’s Incredibly, he has recently acquired another former HDML, description of the launch, when Navy Today met up with Mr HAKU, which was fitted out as a ketch and renamed BLACK Perry and KUPARU on Helensville River last month. WATCH. It comes in handy for spares.

It was a project beating the odds against time and the Clockwise: Scott Perry on Helensville River with his daughters mixed fortunes of the 15 other HDMLs. Naval historian and Madi (left) and Nikita. former HDML commanding officer Gerry Wright, who wrote Nikita poses in the wheelhouse of KUPARU. a book on motor launches called Salty Dits, recounts how KUPARU under way on Kaipara harbour. KUPARU was lifted out of the water by Harbour Board

kuparu on the water 33 FIRST HOME MADE POSSIBLE Life without lattes and avocado on toast The pair were able to capitalise on the market in the buyers’ is the rueful analogy Leading Marine favour. “I thought, this boom Auckland market, it isn’t happening. So we changed our tactics, went for houses Technician Chris Lord , Sailor of the Year, over $800,000, and offered lower on houses that had uses to describe how he imagined a been passed up on auction.” In the case of their new home, strapped existence after buying your first initially set at near $900,000, the seller was keen to sell. home. But it turned out there’s room for Chris and Chelsea have a 16-year mortgage with New treats when you have a mortgage. Zealand Home Loans. “With the Navy, with Home Loans, they coach you on the mortgage. You get frequent n September LMT(L) Lord, with his partner Chelsea, meetings, they help set up the best interest rates, and they became first-time homeowners of an $800,000 three- budget us all the way. Holidays, presents, doctors visits, Ibedroom house in Birkdale, Auckland. Since then the home maintenance, food, fuel, fun. I get to have my lattes pair have not been idle. LMT(L) Lord has been watching and avocado on toast, which everyone thinks you can’t do DIY videos, built a fence, and has put his electrical trade to when you buy a house.” The other two rooms are rented use in installing an extractor fan in the bathroom. A kitchen out “which makes our life easier”. refurbishment is in the budget, with walls to knock out. A Chris has advice for junior rates thinking of getting on the puppy is planned for the near future. property ladder. “You need to be able to buy with someone “Originally we thought, like probably everyone else, that else. It’s easy enough to get a deposit, but you’ve got to we couldn’t buy a house in Auckland,” said Chris. “I was in service a mortgage.” He said Kiwisaver was a big help. “For a Navy house for two years and friends of ours said, see five years, I bought expensive things, wasted my money, but where you are with Home Loans New Zealand. I thought, in the last three years, I started saving. I only had $20,000 we could get $400,000 and buy a house in my home saved. But I had $70,000 in Kiwisaver. We both cashed in town, New Plymouth. But they worked out we could afford our Kiwisaver and between us we had a $120,000 deposit.” $800,000. When we were told that, I thought, wow.” He said it’s important to maintain the rate of payback. Chelsea and Chris decided, if they could get something in “And if you get a payrise, third it. A third on tax, a third to Auckland, they should go for it. “We went hard out, house the mortgage, and a third for fun. You want to enjoy your hunting, 10 houses every weekend, researching during the payrise. We’re on track for 16 years, including the kitchen, week.” Compromise was key. “We had to figure out the the puppy, and our holiday last year. The point is, we have things we wanted, against the things we needed. We had got all these things planned, we can pay off our mortgage, to have priorities. For us, it was a three-bedroom minimum, and I can still have avocado on toast.” separate bathroom and toilet, and a backyard.”

• In the 20 months to December 2017, 327 members • NZDF members and families are able to access a withdrew their funds from the NZDF KiwiSaver Scheme free mortgage broker service provided by Milestone and/or the Defence Force Superannuation Scheme to Direct Ltd. Milestone uses its financial advisers to purchase a house – an average of 16 per month negotiate the best mortgage deals on behalf of • Each month we now see four to five purchases in the members; they also help with the Homestart Grant Auckland region application form. Milestone is also able to help members and families with financial plans • Mortgage interest rates are likely to remain at current levels for at least the next 12 months • Contact details for Milestone are 0508 645 378

34 BUYING FIRST HOME SEAMANSHIP COMPETITION

FLEET AWARDS 2017

The Commander W.J.L Smith Cup CFOR (Captain David McEwan)

The Fleet Seamanship Award HMNZS OTAGO

The Monowai Trophy HMNZS CANTERBURY By LTCDR Andrew Jameson

he RNZN’s inaugural Seamanship Competition The Chatham Rose Bowl and Efficiency Pennant was held over two stunning days, 4 and 5 HMNZS ENDEAVOUR TDecember. It encouraged seamanship excellence across all ranks and trades with a vision to improve and The Naval Support Command Efficiency Trophy hone our core seamanship skills in a fun and competitive HMNZS PHILOMEL environment. From TE MANA we entered a diverse team of seven with three persons joining from TE KAHA, The RNZN Safety Award making a team of 10 dubbed Te Mixture. The team’s positive attitude and keenness to contribute meant LTCDR Tuijo Thompson (TE KAHA) and CPO Bevan Wilson (MATATAUA) that everyone gelled together, had fun and worked to combine past experiences learnt from their individual trades. We were ready to tackle any task with Te Mixture Murano Trophy precision and panache. Competition was fierce with less The Naval Reserve Division of the Year than 15 points between the leading team and the rest HMNZS NGAPONA (Tauranga Division) of the contenders after the first day. Te Mixture was up amongst the stars dazzling the judges and taking out top The Royal New Zealand Navy Scholarship (Gisborne) scores in the working at height, and the bridge simulator Mr Ramairoa Tawera pax transfer.

The sun rose engulfing the sky and heating up the HMNZS CANTERBURY Scholarship competition for day two. Once again Te Mixture had brought their “A” game plus appropriate sun protection, Mr Dominic Bain ready to tackle the fierce competition and weather. Te Mixture achieved a perfect score in the HADR Chief of Navy Scholarship Sea Cadets through fast team work, and scored well in the RHIB test CFPO Austen Rangi with coxswain ASCS Hira Kopua gaining a CFOR coin for his skilled driving. The heaving line challenge really Civilian of the Year proved why seamanship was Te Mixture’s bread and Ms Elizabeth Grieve butter as our score of 18 shocked the judges, earning us the Monkeys fist trophy. We knew the standings Sailor of the Year were close after dropping a few points in the last event. It came down to time bonuses in the HADR and boats LMT(L) Christopher Lord transfer as we rubbed shoulders with Canterbury 1, but unfortunately lost out by half a point! Well done to Canterbury 1 with their well-deserved win. Top left: Team MANAWANUI return after rowing out between a It was a well-run event and all the competitors I talked set of buoys, led by ADR Zane Douglas. to enjoyed catching up with their peers and competing. Top right: LTCDR Lorna Gray, CO of HMNZS OTAGO, with We are looking forward to next year when Te Mixture can OTAGO’s Seamanship Award. OTAGO was away on operations compete again for that trophy. when the Fleet Awards were presented in December.

SEAMANSHIP COMPETITION & fleet awards 35 RNZN Chefs answer call from Washington D.C. CPOCH Wayne Mitchell

n a Friday early in August I was observing a Lead RESERVES SUPPORT Teams course at Ngataringa when I had a visit ANTARCTIC Ofrom the Support Branch Personnel and the Leadership Training Officers. They pulled me aside to PROGRAMME tell me that Commander Kempster, the Assistant Naval Attaché in Washington DC, had called and said the current s a bus driver and cargo handler with the civilian Head Chef at the NZ Embassy in Washington was Operation Antarctica Harewood Terminal Team, quitting. Could the Navy provide a chef to fill the gap while Athe processing and handling of personnel, the Embassy staff found a replacement? passengers and airplane crew is an important aspect Long story short, they told me that I had been selected to of working day, says HMNZS TOROA’s Able Seaman go to Washington to fill the position, job-size it and create Combat Specialist Bernie Robertson. Nearly every a job description so the Navy could develop a plan to flight involves passengers and all have flight crews of continue the support as long as we could. at least five members, sometimes a dozen or more. Originally I was told I would go within two weeks, but due to Passengers are usually checked in and screened for me being cleared to travel and having had the correct visa departure, and loaded to the plane. Returning flights already, I found myself in Washington DC on the following require the disembarking of the same, usually to the Wednesday, being welcomed into the Ambassador’s International Arrivals complex of Christchurch Airport. Residence – and my new home. “All other freight on any flight must be prepared,” he The chef’s job at the NZ embassy is a live-in position. Your says. “We build pallets of freight cargo 2.5 metres high sole job is to provide high-level catering to events that are weighing up to four tonnes each and use fairly heavy hosted by either the Ambassador himself at the Residence, equipment to lift, move and load them to and from the or for the various agencies that work from the Embassy. aircraft. Breaking down the incoming loads is also an The events at the residence range anything from breakfast important aspect of our day.” for a couple of people through to five-course formal He says their team is trained-up before the start of dinners for 35 diners. The larger receptions are held in the the season and runs with the slogan Mission First; Embassy itself which is conveniently located next door. Safety Always. “Thankfully our work is almost problem- free. There were better than two dozen of us at the start of the season but as always the mid-season, Top right: Chocolate Moulded Pinecones made at the Swedish over Christmas, has fewer demands and our team is Embassy by POCH Barton. reduced by a half dozen. But the work goes on. Below: Pan Fried NZ Snapper with a Roasted Lobster Tail, “Often the crews include personnel from previous Asparagus and Lemon Beurre Blanc Sauce by POCH Barton. seasons and a lot of familiar faces appear. This is also true of the passenger lists; some are veterans of twenty seasons on the ice! Our team of cargo handlers has ‘re-offenders’, as am I and most of the permanent staff at the Air Movements unit here in Christchurch.” Chief Petty Officer Peter Gee, Divisional Coxswain at TOROA, says ASCS Robertson is one of the core crew of TOROA. “Every year he volunteers to work as part of the Harewood Terminal Team. This is part of his annual routine and part of his contribution to NZDF outputs. This is season twelve up at Harewood for Bernie.”

36 RESERVES SUPPORT ANTARCTIC PROGRAMME POCH Michael Barton

As I flew from Auckland on 14 September, I had no idea what to expect, travelling to become the Head Chef for the NZ Ambassador in Washington. After spending 20 hours cramped in my seat I touched down to meet CDR Kempster at Ronald Reagan Airport and got a scenic tour of the city before arriving at my new home for the next 10 weeks. CPOCH Mitchell was hard at work and had just completed his last function, I was still out of it from the flights and unaware it was already midnight the same day I left NZ. The next week I spent handing over from the Chief, getting to know the city and my new family at the Embassy and Residence. My first function was for 12 VIP guests. On the menu was a three-course meal consisting of; Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Truffle, Pan Fried NZ Snapper with a Roasted Lobster Tail, Asparagus and Lemon Beurre Blanc Sauce and Individual Pavlovas with NZ fruit. It might be hard to believe but that was the first time I made pavlova! After completing As the position is sole charge we got to work our own several more functions, the biggest event I organised and routines, which included doing all of our own shopping at prepared was the NZ Defence Reception for 300 guests. various locations, including the local supermarket, high- As well as the canapes, guests mostly enjoyed the NZ lamb end gourmet markets and larger restaurant wholesalers, rack cutlets. As you can imagine, I continued to cook my which is where we were able to source our NZ lamb racks fair share of pavlova and lamb while posted there. easily. Guests that come to the Embassy expect to see kiwi When I didn’t have any formal requirements I managed to food, so lamb racks and pavlova were regular features on explore the city and admire its history. Walking alongside the menu. We were also able to fly in NZ seafood including the reflecting pool to the Lincoln Memorial was magnificent snapper, salmon and Coromandel oysters. and standing beneath the Washington Monument and In my own time I made sure to see the sights of Washington looking up at the Capitol Building amazed me. I had only as well as a little further afield. I spent a weekend with my ever seen these places on television before. Another USN Senior Enlisted Academy classmate in Annapolis, significant opportunity and achievement was when I was the home of the US Naval Academy or Officer’s Training asked to assist the Swedish Embassy chef with preparing School. It is such an impressive, historic site, and I will dinner for the Nobel Laureate Prize Award. remember that visit for a long time. One of the highlights During my time there I produced over 1000 dishes for the of my trip was being able to make an official call on the Ambassador, his guests and Embassy staff, which was a Master Chief Petty Officer of the US Navy (WoN equivalent) feat in itself considering I haven’t actually cooked full time in his office at the Pentagon. It was such an enlightening for over three years. and eye-opening experience. The Pentagon was not at all On behalf of CPOCH Mitchell and myself I would like to like I imagined. thank all involved - the Embassy and Residence staff, CDR So after almost two months my time came to an end, my Kempster, the entire Defence team and of course to our relief POCH Michael Barton turned up and I handed him the families for allowing us to experience and get the most out keys to the Embassy with a “you have the ship”. of this opportunity.

STUDY WITH DISTINCTION At the conclusion of the 2017 Malaysian Armed Forces Command and Staff Course in December, Lieutenant Commander Rob McCaw was awarded Best International Student, as well as earning his diplomas with distinction. LTCDR McCaw was also awarded the Commandant’s Award for best Academic Paper for an overseas participant and best overseas participant in Military Studies. There were 45 international students and 118 Malaysian students at the course in Kuala Lumpur.

CHEFS IN WASHINGTON 37 NAVY BOXER IN TOP 10 By Suzi Phillips

ne of New Zealand’s top 10 boxers, Tasmyn Benny, plans to fit her international boxing contests Oaround her new career with the Navy. In December Ordinary Medical Assistant Benny won an international bout at SkyCity in Auckland, against her Australian opponent in the women’s 48kg class. That puts OMA Benny in strong contention for a place in the New Zealand boxing team to the Commonwealth Games in April. There are probably six places for our top boxers in the Commonwealth Games team and OMA Benny is hopeful she will gain selection. She graduated on 2 December from her 18 week-long Basic Common Training course for new Navy recruits at When pressed, she says her strengths are moving and Devonport Naval Base. turning away from her opponent – and a strong left hand. “The Navy is my new home,” she says. “I’m looking forward “My Dad was training with one of his mates in the garage to training as a medic in Christchurch soon, and then back one day and I wanted to get fit for netball, and I found out to Devonport.” boxing was good fun,” she says. “I gave up netball.” OMA Benny is 19 years old and from Thames on the She says any women interested in boxing should go for it. Hauraki Plains. She went to Turua Primary and Hauraki “Push yourself, just go for it, and push on in training and Plains College, and decided to join the Navy for the travel keep going,” says OMA Benny. “It’s great to get into boxing, and challenge. it’s lots of fun.” “The best part of BCT was the outside schools, learning Her goals for the year include selection for the how to sail and how to handle a weapon and training at Commonwealth Games and also the World Games. She Tamaki in Whangaparaoa.” She has also enjoyed the new wants to get as many fights as she can, both nationally and friendships she has made along the way. internationally. OMA Benny says she puts in about an hour’s training each “I was in a boxing training camp for New Zealand boxers in day when she is busy, but now she will have more time until at the end of 2016 and I had one of my best bouts,” medic training begins. she says. “Probably because I was more aggressive and really let my punches go.” “When I was in BCT, I tried to keep training at the end of the day, or otherwise I shadow spar in my room, sparring Top of page: OMA Tasmyn Benny is hoping her recent against a pretend opponent,” she says. “My mates laugh at international boxing successes have earned her a slot in the me, but the Navy is very supportive of my boxing.” Commonwealth Games.

SAILORS AGAINST THE ODDS and results for every ships’ deployment from 1941-1980. BOOK LAUNCH The pair wish to thank the Royal New Zealand Navy for their support in accessing ships’ files relating to sports, and to

ack Donnelly and Graeme Pearce, both Navy the members of the RNZN Sports Club Facebook page who sportsmen from the 1950-1980 era, have written a supplied a vast amount of information and photos of their time Jbook titled: Sailors Against the Odds; Memoirs of in the Navy playing sport. New Zealand Navy Sport 1941-1980. The book involves MEMOIRS OF NEW ZEALAND NAVY SPORT The book will be launched on 14 April at the Ngataringa 18 months of research at Archives NZ and the Navy Sports Club from 1700. There is a limited number of tickets Museum, plus other sources. 1941-1980 available to non-members of the RNZN Sports Club. The book The book covers the sports history of all the ships and price is $49.95 and can be ordered or purchased from the Navy MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO the memoirs of the sporting players who played in this Museum in Devonport ($29.95 for Sports Club members and A healthy mind in a health body era, plus the records of all the results of games played families). Enquries to [email protected].

38 notices SEA SCOUT SUCCESS

aval recognition of a Sea Scout group is a mark of excellence for only the top 15 groups in the country. NDuring the 28th National Scout Regatta over December and January it was the privilege of the Warrant Officer of the Navy to present Naval Recognition pennants to the top Sea Scout groups. WOCWS Wayne Dyke, a former Sea Scout, was a guest during the regatta, involving 80 boats, 500 youth and nine days of sailing, rowing, kayaking and seamanship events at Onepoto in Porirua harbour. The Navy have been presenting the Naval Recognition pennants and badges every three years at the National Regatta for over 30 years. Sea Scout groups can apply for the Sea Scout Group Excellence Award, and the top 15 of Top of page: The Naval Pennant, awarded to Sea Scout groups those awardees earn the right to wear the Naval Pennant in Above: Venturer Robbie Anderson from Iron Duke Sea Scouts, place of the Excellence Pennant. Nelson, holds the Jellicoe Trident, the top award at the National Scout Regatta. WON Dyke said he could recall his old unit, Paraparaumu Beach, being among the first units to be presented with the award. During the regatta he met his former troop leader, Iron Duke Sea Scouts from Nelson won the Jellicoe Trident, John Roger, who recognised him despite not seeing him for the top award at the Regatta since 1924. It was 50 years 30 years. since the Nelson group had last held the trident.

Lieutenant Commander Kevin “Chalky” Carr

e acknowledge the passing command of a small PEGASUS team and of LTCDR Kevin Carr, HMNZS instructed them to search the immediate WPEGASUS, who lost his battle with area, then led a team of five into the city pancreatic cancer in January. LTCDR Carr to support relief efforts, assisting trapped was awarded the New Zealand Bravery Medal survivors in various buildings. LTCDR Carr for his part in the attempts to rescue survivors was injured during his efforts but continued of the Christchurch CTV building after the to provide leadership. February 2011 earthquake. He assumed

SAILORS AGAINST THE ODDS

SAILORS AGAINST THE ODDS ROYAL NEW ZEALAND NAVY COOKS

AND STEWARDS REUNION A reunion for all ex RNZN Cooks and Stewards and serving RNZN Chefs and Stewards will be held on the weekend of 5-7 October 2018. The Reunion will be MEMOIRS OF NEW ZEALAND NAVY SPORT held in Auckland with Quality Hotel Parnell and Birkenhead RSA being the venues.. MEMOIRS1941-1980 OF NEW ZEALAND NAVY SPORT For any further information please contact Jon Walker on 021 103 5856, 1941-1980 George Coffin on 021 081 26783 or Margaret Mitchell on 027 6044 571 or join us MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO in the Cooks and Stewards Reunion Group on Facebook. An in-depth programme A healthy mind in a health body will be published in due course. MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO A healthy mind in a health body

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