Recent Activities
In the Navy, life ashore is no less varied and eventful than it is at sea.
Below are some short accounts of recent events at the Devonport Naval Base, around New Zealand and overseas.
Ki te wheiao Ki te ao marama Tihei mauri ora Kei te matua nui i te rangi ki to ingoa tapu, tena koe Kei nga mate katoa, haere atu ra Ki a tatou nga iwi katoa, tena koutou katoa.
Minister of Defence, the Honourable Dr Wayne Mapp.Chief of Air Force,...
A very special ceremony to mark the Change of Command of Chief of Navy and the Maritime Component Commander was held on Thursday 30 April at the Devonport Naval Base.
In a ceremony to be witnessed by the Minister of Defence, the Honourable Dr...
The Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae has announced that Captain Ross Smith has been appointed to the position of Maritime Component Commander, based at Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand in Trentham.
The Maritime...
Representing the NZDF at the Anzac Day ceremonies at Gallipoli this year was a highlight for seven members of our Navy Band The seven were part of a small contingent of NZDF personnel, who took part in the Australian-led Anzac Day dawn service on 25...
Introduction As part of Anzac Day commemorations, the New Zealand Defence Force is running OPERATION ANZAC SPIRIT, a design competition for Year 7 & 8 students. The Anzac spirit forged during WW1 continues wherever New Zealand and Australian...
See the Royal New Zealand Air Force in action both on the ground and in the air as Air Force Base Whenuapai opens the gates and hosts its popular air show on Saturday 21 March. A great day out for the whole family.Details:Where: Whenuapai Airforce...
The Royal New Zealand Navy had it's usual significant presence in Napier as the Hawke’s Bay region commemorated the 1931 earthquake and celebrated all that is Art Deco with the 2009 GEON Art Deco Weekend. HMNZS RESOLUTION was berthed at the...
Along with the rest of the world, it was with disbelief that we watched the horror of the fires in Victoria unfold on the television news with the devastating loss of life and property. For Naval Able Writer Sarah Ngere, the sight of the horrendous...
The Royal New Zealand Navy has been invited by the people of Tai Tokerau to attend Waitangi Day Celebrations in the Bay of Islands and will continue its proud history of playing a major part in the commemorative ceremonies during the 169th...
On Monday 26 January Torpedo Bay Devonport will be opening to provide a birds eye view of the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta , Torpedo Bay in Devonport will be open to the public from 10 am - 3 pm. The Director and staff of the Navy Museum will...
To receive The New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration (DSD) Warrant Officer Roberts has served as Warrant Officer of the Navy since January 2006. This is a demanding position and one that requires special skills and commitment. He has been...
Change at the top for Naval Base
28 January 2010
A ceremony to mark the change of Commanding Officer for the Royal New Zealand Navy base, HMNZS PHILOMEL, will be held at 10am, Friday 29 January at Devonport Naval Base.During the ceremony Captain...
Kaikohe woman, Shirley-Ann Patton (nee Moor), now residing on the North Shore of Auckland, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Decoration (DSD) in the 2009 Queens Birthday Honours List for her exemplary service whilst onboard Royal New...
The Navy’s new training simulator - Marine Engineering Synthetic Training Environment (MESTE) – was opened at the Devonport Naval Base by Commodore Pat Williams on 2 June 2009.
"The commissioning of the MESTE simulator brings us closer...
- Dec 08 - Dunsandel Woman wins Sports Award
Dunsandel woman, Colleen Smith (nee Riches), has just been awarded Navy Sports Manager of the Year for her excellence as Manager of the Navy Ladies Interservice Football Team. Colleen, a past student of Ellesmere College in Leeston, joined the Navy... - Dec 08 - Levin Man Recognised for Excellence in Sport
Levin man, Randal Bartholomew, has just been awarded the title of Royal New Zealand Navy Coach of the Year. Randal, a past student of Horowhenua College, a Petty Officer Stores Accountant in the Navy, is a player/coach for the Navy Hockey Team as... - Dec 08 - Remuera Man Wins Top Award
It was a day to remember for Troy Gorden from Remuera when he was awarded the top prize in a Naval Graduation Parade recently. Troy, a Midshipman (Junior Officer under training) was awarded the Minister of Defence Sword of Honour – presented... - Dec 08 - Christchurch Woman Wins Top Award at Graduation
Louisa Thyne of Queenspark, Christchurch has recently been awarded the Spencer Tewsley Cup and Tankard, presented to the best all round trainee sailor graduating from initial training. Louisa, an Ordinary Chef in the Navy, was also presented the... - Dec 08 - Auckland employers recognised for supporting Part-Time Military Personnel
Five Auckland region employers received awards on Thursday night from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) for the support they have provided to their employees who also serve as part-time members of the Royal NZ Navy and the NZ Army.
NZI, The... - Dec 08 - Royal New Zealand Young Sportsman of the Year
Hawera man, Roger Urbahn, has just been awarded the title of Royal New Zealand Young Sportsman of the Year. Roger, a past student of Hawera High School, is an Able Weapons Technician in the Navy and has been recognised for his excellence in... - Dec 08 - Naval Officers and Sailors Graduate
Thursday 11 December was a day to remember for a large number of newly trained Naval Officers, Sailors and Naval Reserve Junior Rates as they graduated in a combined parade at the Devonport Naval Base.
In front of an audience including their proud... - Dec 08 - Wellington man selected as Sailor of the Year
A talent for mentoring the ordinary ratings & the ability to assist other able ratings with their professional development; commands respect from all those around him and is looked up to as a natural leader, both in the work and social environments,... - Nov 08 - Navy on Parade in North Shore City
The North Shore City Council invited the Royal New Zealand Navy to exercise its Charter with North Shore City on Wednesday 5 November.The Charter Parade is about granting freedom of the city. It is a long standing custom stretching back to the time... - Oct 08 - Success in Coastal Classic for Navy teams
Three Naval Sail Training Craft lined up as part of the 229 strong fleet entered into this years’ Coastal Classic however, only 180 vessels made it to the starting line. Departing Auckland on Friday 24 October the crews battled the severe... - Oct 08 - Handover Ceremony of Saint Peter’s Catholic Chapel to Royal New Zealand Navy Ownership
At 3:00 pm on Monday 20 October 2008, a short ceremony took place at Devonport Naval Base to mark the transfer of ownership of St. Peter’s Chapel from the Catholic Diocese of Auckland to the Royal New Zealand Navy. The Ceremony involved the... - Oct 08 - Accor $10 Queenstown Challenge Update
Three New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) teams headed off from Auckland on the 1st of October with $10 and the challenge to get to Queenstown in three days. The NZDF teams are Navy: Sub Lieutenant Fraser Toulmin and Sub Lieutenant Darcy Topp, Army:... - Oct 08 - Deputy Chief of Navy Commendation
Gore woman, Melonie Wallace, a Petty Officer Stores Accountant in the Navy, has been commended for her dedication to duty and her community involvement with the local Girl Guides Association.
Presenting Melonie with her formal commendation, the... - Sep 08 - Naval Trainees Graduate
In front of an audience including their proud families, 32 trainee sailors graduated from their Basic Common Training on Friday 19 September at the Devonport Naval Base.
Former Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral (retd) Peter McHaffie is the Reviewing... - Sep 08 - Navy celebrates Birthday
The Royal New Zealand Navy celebrates it's 67th birthday on 1 October and marked it with a Church service on Sunday 28th September at Old St Paul's in Wellington and a reception at the Boatshed at Taranaki Wharf on 29 September. - Sept 08 - Interservice Rugby League
The RNZNRL Team assembled late on the Friday prior to the tournament due to player unavailability and ship commitments. This was not ideal preparation for a tournament, but the team did not take long to gel as the majority came from the Navy... - Sep / Oct 08 - Accor $10 Queenstown Challenge
The Royal New Zealand Navy has officially registered a team “Navy Brass Monkeys” for the 2008 “Accor $10 Queenstown Challenge”. The team consists of LT Fraser Toulmin and SLT Darcy Topp.The $10 Queenstown Challenge involves... - Sep 08 - Navy Teams win at NZ Corporate Games
Sporting success was had for two Navy Teams in the recent NZ Corporate Games held in Auckland over the weekend of 11 - 13 September. The NZ Corporate Games are an annual event held in key cities around NZ. The event is part of a worldwide... - Aug 08 - Sailor of the year 2007 visits Pearl Harbour
Dannevirke man, now a Leading Marine Technician in the Navy, Chris Henricksen, was selected as the Royal New Zealand Navy Sailor of the Year in 2007. Part of his award was a trip to Hawaii. "I have been given the great honour and privilege of being... - Jul 08 - Royal Navy Bandsmen Successful Jump for Charity
Tom Griffin, a musician in Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Band Service in the United Kingdom, joined the Royal New Zealand Navy Band in April this year on an 5 month exchange programme. - Jul 08 - Cambridge Boy wins a day with the Navy
Cambridge boy Andrew Lyall will have an exciting tale to tell his classmates back at school. Andrew won the 2008 Op Kiwi Competition with the New Zealand Defence Force - designing an Anzac Poster - and won a day with the Navy during the school... - Jul 08 - Naval Officer Chalks up 50 Years of Naval Service
On 22 July 2008 Lieutenant Commander John Frazer Murray celebrated 50 years of loyal service in the Royal Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy. Having joined the Royal Navy in 1958, he then went on to join the RNZN in 1991, and is currently serving as a... - Jun 08 - AUT Marketing Department Students develop Recruiting Initiatives
"You can't be serious"..."Close but no cigar"…"On the Money"…
These are categories that may not normally be used to select a winning advertising campaign, but then, this was no ordinary advertising campaign... - May 08 - New Bomb Disposal Facility Opens
The new headquarters and specialised training facility of the New Zealand Defence Force’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Squadron at Trentham Army camp was opened by the Minister of Defence the Honourable Phil Goff on Monday 26 May. - May 08 - HMNZS CANTERBURY Scholar 2008: “Ecstatic and incredibly proud”.
This year, the HMNZS Canterbury Scholarship has been won by Rachel Standring who is studying a varied course at Canterbury University, including papers in Music, Chinese and Law. The scholarship was presented to Rachel at the Christchurch Convention... - Apr 08 - ANZAC Day 08
The 25th April 08 was the 93rd anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli.
- Junior Officer Common Training 07/2
Junior Officer Common Training aims to take prospective candidates, and provides education, training and experiences that mould these new recruits into the leaders required by the RNZN.
Image Right: Family watching the graduation parade (MC... - Basic Common Training Course 07/4
One recruit who joined the Navy on Basic Common Trainee course 07/4 tells their story:"I decided to join the Navy for adventure, travel and a chance to be part of something that most people will never experience. Navy Training is both physically... - Apr 07 - New Dental Centre Opened in Naval Base
The new Fleet Dental Centre, co-located with the Naval Health Services, was officially opened on Friday 27 April 2007 in the Devonport Naval Base. - Mar 07 - New Naval Ratings ready for Service Careers
In front of an audience including their proud families, 60 Naval Ratings graduated from eleven weeks of intensive naval training on Friday 30 March 2007 at the Navy Leadership and Development Group in Devonport. - Mar 07 - Beat Retreat at Windsor Reserve
Your Navy performed a ceremonial Beat Retreat for the public at Windsor Reserve, Devonport on Tuesday 6 March. Under a beautifully clear evening sky and warm temperatures, the Navy Band performed a public concert prior to joining the armed Guard for... - Mar 07 - Former Canterbury bell gifted
The gifting of the ship's bell from the former HMNZS CANTERBURY was conducted by the Chief of Navy on 6 Mar 07 at Te Rawhiti, Northland. The bell was given in reciprocation for the gift the two hapu presented to the Navy during the signing (the hoe).
- Dec 06 - Children’s Christmas Party
Another successful Children’s Christmas Party was held at the Ngataringa Bay sports complex, attended by over 600 Navy children with their families. The Children’s Christmas Party is an annual event run and organised by the Naval... - Sept 06 - CDF visits Naval Support Command
Lieutenant General J. Mateparae, ONZM, Chief of New Zealand Defence Force conducted a familiarisation visit to the Naval Support Command on 6 - 7 September. - Sept 06- Naval accomodation at Mt Maunganui
Naval accommodation in Mt Maunganui was opened with an official ceremony on Friday 6 October, 2006. Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson, opened the Navy Lodge- Takitimu Lodge. - Jan 06 - Change of Command Ceremonies for three Navy ships
Three separate ceremonies to mark the official change of Commanding Officer's for the frigate HMNZS TE KAHA, Tanker HMNZS ENDEAVOUR and the Diving Tender HMNZS MANAWANUI were held on Thursday 19 January 2006, at the Devonport Naval Base.
- Dec 05 - Graduation Parade
In front of an audience which included proud families, invited guests and representatives from the New Zealand Defence Force, 25 Naval Officers and 65 sailors graduated in a combined parade on Friday 9 December. - Dec 05 - St Barbara's Day in Devonport
- Dec 05 - Navy ships return home with a bang
- Dec 05 - Children's Christmas Party
On Sunday 11 December, Santa arrived at the Ngataringa Bay sports fields by Seasprite helicopter, and was quickly surrounded by children. - Dec 05 - Navy Chefs sail on the Spirit of New Zealand
- Nov/Dec 05 - 'Peace in Afghanistan'
An exhibition of photographs by Lt Cdr Karl Woodhead, MNZM, RNZN.
The Armistice Exhibition at the Pictorial Gallery of the Auckland War Museum, 11 Nov - 11 Dec 2005, is a stirring visual account of one RNZN peacekeeper's observations during service... - Nov 05 - Malaysian Visitors to the Shore
The Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson, hosted an official visit by the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) Chief of Navy, Admiral Datuk Ilyas Hj Din, from 20 to 23 November 2005. - Nov 05 - Armistice Day
Defence Force Commemorations for Armistice Day, 2005 - Nov 05 - Helping out at the National Maritime Museum
- Nov 05 - Maritime Museums Congress
Navy links across Auckland's Waitemata Harbour to co-host an international congress with the National Maritime Museum. - Nov 05 - Rest and Relaxation at Arawa Lodge, Taupo
- Oct 05 - In Britain
Our Navy's Trafalgar Day observances in England - Oct 05 - Trafalgar Day in Nelson 2005
Historic Naval Victory Remembered - Oct 05 - Interservice Volleyball hosted by Navy
- Aug 05 - Navy and North Shore City Council Join Forces
The Memorandum of Understanding signed between the North Shore City Council and the Royal New Zealand Navy on 4 August demonstrates the developing partnerships between the two organisations.