May 7, 2021The gift of tā mokoFor a week last month, Base Ohakea’s Tūrangawaewae was home to tā moko expert Heemi Te Peeti, who created moko for any personnel who wanted one. — During the week 17 people, defence personnel, and two dependents, took up the opportunity to receive a moko. Doors were also open to those who wanted to support their loved ones and colleagues going through the process. …Ta Moko4 min readTa Moko4 min read
Mar 18, 20215 things you might not know about life on a NZ Navy shipThe Royal New Zealand Navy’s multi-role vessel HMNZS Canterbury regularly deploys on overseas operations, but what is it like to live on board months at a time? Here are some things you may not know about life on HMNZS Canterbury, from laundry to recreation and exercise. 1. Hands to bathe At the end of…New Zealand Defence Force2 min readNew Zealand Defence Force2 min read
Feb 4, 2021Young women try out Air Force lifeForty female secondary school students will get a taste of life in the Royal New Zealand Air Force these April school holidays. Now in its fifth year, School to Skies will offer technical and aviation-focussed experience for young women from all over New Zealand at Base Ohakea from 17–24 April…School To Skies3 min readSchool To Skies3 min read
Feb 3, 2021Nelson man takes reins of HMNZS TaupoNelson man Fletcher Slierendrecht is the Royal New Zealand Navy’s newest ship’s captain for 2021, taking command of HMNZS Taupo. Lieutenant Slierendrecht, 26, assumed command of the 55-metre Inshore Patrol Vessel in a ceremony at Devonport Naval Base on 29 January. He was asked if he would like to have…Commanding Officer3 min readCommanding Officer3 min read
Oct 7, 2020Full-time student, part-time soldierThe love of the outdoors and the desire for something new led Whangarei born Private (PTE) Matthew Young to join the New Zealand Army Reserves. PTE Young is a fourth year engineering student at the University of Canterbury and soldier in Alpha Company, 2nd/4th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment…3 min read3 min read
Oct 7, 2020Timorese students repatriated home on RNZAF flightA group of students has today been repatriated to Timor-Leste after they were stranded in New Zealand by the Covid-19 pandemic. About 30 students were among passengers on a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) C-130H(NZ) Hercules flight to Dili. The New Zealand Defence Force has been working with the…2 min read2 min read
Oct 5, 2020Otago student has best of both worldsLiving the student lifestyle and having a taste of military life is why the Army Reserves is a perfect balance for Private (PTE) Harry Lloyd. A quantity surveying student at Otago Polytechnic in Dunedin, PTE Lloyd, aged 20, joined in 2018 straight out of high school having always had an…New Zealand Defence Force3 min readNew Zealand Defence Force3 min read
Sep 29, 2020NZ Defence Force plugs into electric vehiclesThe New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has taken a major step towards reducing its carbon bootprint by purchasing its first electric vehicle (EV) and installing EV charging stations at Trentham Military Camp. The Hyundai Ioniq will join the fleet at Trentham, where the two Delta 7kW slow charging stations are…Nzdf3 min readNzdf3 min read
Sep 4, 2020Army offers opportunities aplenty for Cook IslanderThe chance to gain life experience while learning as much as possible were big drawcards for Cook Islander Lance Corporal (LCPL) Thomas Harrison when he was considering joining the New Zealand Army. LCPL Harrison grew up in Amuri on Aitutaki, in the Cook Islands, before moving to New Zealand in late 2013 on a rugby scholarship with Rangiora High School. …2 min read2 min read
Aug 27, 2020From New Delhi to Royal New Zealand Air ForceFormer Rosehill College student Aircraftman (AC) Suhailjeet Singh, hadn’t considered a future in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) when his family immigrated to New Zealand from New Delhi, India in 2003. However, encouragement from family led to him choosing a career involving aircraft. AC Singh, aged 20, is…2 min read2 min read
