Dream comes true as Kawerau woman starts career in Royal New Zealand Navy
Kawerau woman Miharo Sisley-Tihema realised her dream of joining the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) when she signed on with about 80 other young people from around New Zealand at Devonport Naval Base this week.
Miharo, 18, was inducted at a ceremony at the National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy.
The new recruits were welcomed into the RNZN whanau by Assistant Chief of Fleet Personnel and Training, Captain Richard Walker, who encouraged them to make the most of their opportunities.
Miharo, who went to Tarawera High School, completed the Defence Academy programme while at the school.
“I’ve wanted to join the Navy since I started high school, partly because a few girls from my school, including the head girl, have gone on to join the Navy and I’ve heard about the opportunities,” she says.
“In the Defence Academy class we prepared for basic training and the recruitment process.
“I’m looking forward to becoming the best version of myself here and also looking forward to the travel and setting myself up for life with this career.
“I’ve finally achieved my goal of joining up and it feels amazing. I’m very excited about the training to come.
“One of the biggest challenges will be missing my family and being away from home, but I’m sure I will get used to that.”
After the induction Miharo and her fellow recruits were welcomed onto the RNZN’s Te Taua Moana Marae in nearby Ngataringa Bay and then had a fitness test in the gym.
This latest intake of recruits included 47 men and 30 women, aged 17 to 29.
They start an 18-week basic training course with the RNZN’s Leadership Development Group at Devonport, beginning with parade and physical training and then going on to core mariner and military skills.
