JCs Royal New Zealand Navy Ships and New Zealand Defence, Also other World Defence Updates

Whakatāne graduate Nate Bishop joins Royal New Zealand Navy as marine technician

Bay of Plenty Times – 16 Dec, 2025 11:32 AM3 mins to read

Ordinary Marine Technician Nate Bishop has realised his dream of starting a Navy career. Photo / Supplied

Whakatāne’s Nate Bishop has achieved his childhood goal of joining the Royal New Zealand Navy – boosted by his school’s Service Academy and a dose of old-fashioned hard work.

The 18-year-old Ordinary Marine Technician graduated among 54 men and 17 women from Basic Common Training intake 25/02 at a joint officer and sailor graduation at Devonport Naval Base in Auckland last weekend.

Born in Hāwera, Taranaki, Bishop grew up in Whakatāne.

At Trident High School’s Service Academy, he got an idea of military basics, with discipline, marches and week-long camps involving basic training.

But he had always dreamed of being in the Navy.

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“My dad was an engineer on fishing boats for a lot of his life and it was a role I wanted to follow, plus serve New Zealand, so I thought the Navy was a great choice for me,” Bishop said.

“Since Year 9 I always pushed myself for good grades so I could achieve this goal.”

A love of finding out how things worked by taking them apart and reassembling them also pointed to a marine technician trade. His goal is to add an L (eLectrical) to his MT trade and become a qualified electrician.

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Bishop joined the Navy partway through his Year 13 schooling.

He was also working 35 hours a week at a fast-food restaurant. His motivation was “work hard, play hard”, making the most of time off if it happened.

The joint officer and sailor graduation at Devonport Naval Base in Auckland last weekend. Photo / Supplied

Working hard was a factor in the 15 weeks of basic training, he said.

“There have been many moments on this course that have been so fun and memorable.

“One training week on Whangaparāoa Peninsula we had to help defend the ‘Belesian Islands’ from the ‘Alvanians’, which meant making campsites and learning how to barricade them, and leading our team through evolutions to try and beat other classes.

“The key part of that week was when my division, Achilles, won the Efficiency Cup event – a long endurance race with sandbag carries, weapon dismantling and reconstruction, confidence course, tyre flip and a long equipment carry.

“It felt like it lasted longer than it actually was.”

Bishop believes his family will notice his improved discipline and fitness following graduation.

“They’ll also see me eat my food in an instant from all the action ‘scran’ (food) training we’ve had. And I can clean very, very well – it’s all part of the ‘lead self’ training.”

His advice to others is to put your foot down and give it your best shot.

“I’ve had this goal since I was a kid, so the drive was there; so, just set that goal and do whatever it takes.

“Even when we were all sore and hurting, we all look back and realise how much fun we were all having.”

– Content supplied by the New Zealand Defence Force

Gisborne sailor home for Christmas after months at sea

A Gisborne sailor with the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) always wanted a job where she could make a difference.

15 December, 2025

Leading Hospitality Specialist (LHS) Karen Brown arrived back in Devonport Naval Base, Auckland, on board maritime replenishment vessel HMNZS Aotearoa on Friday.

It marked the conclusion of a demanding operational year for the ship and its 80-strong crew, who have been deployed since late March.

The vessel spent 307 days away from home and sailed more than 31,000 nautical miles as it conducted exercises and operations.

Three months were an Indo-Pacific deployment, which included defence engagements and exercises with key countries and partners, including port visits to Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The ship has also been carrying out enforcement of United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea, undertaking surveillance and deterrence activities in the international waters of the East China and Yellow Seas during November.

The ship was shadowed at different points in time by seven different People’s Liberation Army (Navy) warships. 3 Aotearoa

HMNZS Aotearoa was welcomed back to Devonport Naval Base in Auckland on Friday 4 Aotearoa

HMNZS Aotearoa was welcomed back to Devonport Naval Base in Auckland on Friday 1 Aotearoa

An RNZAF P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft flies over HMNZS Aotearoa during surveillance and deterrence activitiesScroll to previous imageScroll to next image

After finishing at Campion College in Gisborne, LHS Brown worked in hospitality while completing a Diploma in Business at the Eastern Institute of Technology and six years ago joined the Navy.

“I wanted to experience life out of home,” she says. “That included travelling, getting opportunities like no other and making a difference. I’ve always had a passion for helping others.

“Right from a young age I was a lifeguard with Midway Surf Club, I completed the Youth and Emergency Service programme and I became a volunteer firefighter at the Eastland fire station.”

Navy Hospitality Specialists work in the Officers’ Wardroom both at sea and ashore, providing table service, bartending, setting up and servicing official functions and providing VIP support to high-profile diplomatic functions in New Zealand and overseas.

LHS Brown posted to HMNZS Aotearoa 18 months ago. As well as her core duties, Hospitality Specialists have auxiliary roles and are also trained in ship refuelling and damage control.

She is a member of Aotearoa’s Standing Sea Emergency Party, ready to be called on to tackle fires, water ingress or toxic gas.

“The best things about this deployment is I get to do roles that support the operation of the ship depending on the priorities of the mission at the time.

“There are also the new places, cultures and food I get to see and try.”

What she’s learned about being a sailor is the importance of the relationship with her shipmates.

“The people I work with make each day memorable and they are definitely my second family.”

LHS Brown’s advice to others thinking of joining the Navy is to be open to learning new skills and have a drive and passion to do anything.

“It’s incredible what I have achieved so far in my career and there’s still much more to come. I want to enjoy my time as a sailor, consolidate my learning, but also keep an eye on the future and that could include completing a degree.

“No matter the time away, I am grateful for the support back in New Zealand. The homecoming at Devonport is the most incredible feeling – it means catching up on all the stories from home and getting to tell my own.”

‘Yummy duff’ and North Koreans: Hamilton sailor’s round the world adventures

Benn Bathgate

December 15, 2025Share

Leading logistics supply specialist Amra-Maree Simek.supplied

A former Sacred Heart Girls’ College student is looking forward to Christmas in Hamilton after almost a year at sea that included sanctions busting against North Korea, and clocking up 31,000 nautical miles.

Leading logistics supply specialist Amra-Maree Simek, 25, arrived back in Devonport Naval Base on board maritime replenishment vessel HMNZS Aotearoa on Friday, the conclusion of a demanding operational year for the ship and its 80-strong crew, who have been deployed since late March.

HMNZS Aotearoa spent 307 days away from home and sailed more than 31,000 nautical miles as it conducted exercises and operations.

Simek joined the Navy in 2020, inspired by cousins and an uncle who were also serving.

“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study in university. My family members were having some really cool experiences that I thought I could get as well, and I wanted a chance to see the world while doing my job,” she said.

“A sailor came to my careers class at Sacred Heart Girls’ College and she shared her experiences – getting paid to travel, free medical and dental and lots of cool opportunities.”

HMNZS Aotearoa and its 80-strong ship’s company were welcomed back to Auckland’s Devonport Naval Base after a lengthy deployment.supplied

HMNZS Aotearoa is the third ship she has served on, starting her posting in October last year.

This year, HMNZS Aotearoa completed a three-month Indo-Pacific deployment which included defence engagements and exercises with key countries and partners, including port visits to Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The vessel also carried out enforcement of United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea, undertaking surveillance and deterrence activities in the international waters of the East China and Yellow Seas during November.

The ship was shadowed at different points in time by seven different People’s Liberation Army (Navy) warships from a distance.

Simek said the best part of being on deployment is being part of operations which HMNZS Aotearoa is undertaking for New Zealand; getting to do lots of physical training and being with friends are an added bonus.

“Being away from home and family is always the biggest challenge, as well as keeping to a good diet – especially when our chefs make some yummy ‘duff’ (dessert).”

During her Navy career, she’s enjoyed a range of experiences including performing the drums on stage with Six60 at a concert at Mt Eden Stadium, being part of Māori Culture Group performances in more than 15 countries, riding in a Navy helicopter over the Great Barrier Reef and seeing penguins and seals in Antarctica.

“I’ve ticked off a lot of career goals in my short time in the service,” she said.

“I still want to do the world’s largest maritime exercise, Exercise Rimpac, in Hawaii. I’m working to get promoted to my next rank and taking charge of my own team.

“I’ve got a lot of other smaller goals but there are too many to list – the opportunities in Navy are endless and there’s always something to work towards.”

Outside of the Navy, Simek is a keen Waka Ama/Va’a (outrigger canoe) competitor.

She received funding assistance from the Navy to attend the IVF Va’a World Sprint Championships in 2024.

“My advice to anyone thinking about joining the Navy is go for it. On top of your own trade skills and knowledge, you also get some other cool qualifications and experiences. You make a lot of new friends and family and create bonds with people that will last a long time.”

Benn Bathgate

benn.bathgate@stuff.co.nz

Benn Bathgate is a reporter with more than a decade’s experience reporting on crime and justice stories across Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.

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HMNZS Aotearoa home after 8-month deployment

HMNZS Aotearoa welcomed home after eight month deployment. Friends, family, personalised signs, haka, senior leaders and the Royal New Zealand Navy band could all be seen on the wharves at Devonport Naval Base today to welcome home HMNZS Aotearoa and her 80-strong ship’s company who have been deployed since late March. The return marks the conclusion of an exceptionally demanding operational year for the Navy’s maritime replenishment vessel. The ship spent 307 days away from home and sailed more than 31,000 nautical miles as it conducted exercises and operations from Antarctica to the Korean Peninsula and throughout the wider Indo-Pacific region. Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Garin Golding, said the mission demonstrated New Zealand’s commitment to defending the international rules-based system. “You can’t just talk about it — you have to be at sea doing it — and your friends and partners and the international community need to see you do it as well,” Rear Admiral Golding said. “And HMNZS Aotearoa and the ship’s company have certainly been out there doing exactly that.” As the fleet tanker, HMNZS Aotearoa played a critical support role throughout the year, from resupplying Scott Base and McMurdo Base to refuelling partner ships while operating alongside the navies of Australia, Canada, France, Japan, United States, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam. The ship also demonstrated New Zealand’s commitment to freedom of navigation and international law by transiting the Taiwan Strait while en route to support the monitoring of United Nations Security Council sanctions enforcement against North Korea. While this generated interest from Peoples Liberation Army (Navy) ships who closely monitored HMNZS Aotearoa’s transit, for Commanding Officer, Commander Rob Welford, it was just business as usual sailing in an international sea lane. Commander Welford said the entire ship’s company could take real pride in what they had accompl

‘Job done’: Rousing welcome as HMNZS Aotearoa is home for Christmas

By 1News Reporters – Fri, Dec 12

HMNZS Aotearoa arrives in Auckland. (Source: New Zealand Defence Force)

Hundreds of friends and family gathered on the wharves at Devonport Naval Base in Auckland today to welcome HMNZS Aotearoa home for Christmas after an eight-month deployment.

The ship spent 307 days away from New Zealand and sailed more than 31,000 nautical miles as it conducted exercises and operations from Antarctica to the Korean Peninsula and throughout the wider Indo-Pacific region.

Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding said the mission demonstrated New Zealand’s commitment to defending the international rules-based system.

“You can’t just talk about it – you have to be at sea doing it – and your friends and partners and the international community need to see you do it as well. HMNZS Aotearoa and the ship’s company have certainly been out there doing exactly that.”

Royal New Zealand Navy maritime replenishment vessel HMNZS Aotearoa and its 80-strong ship’s company were welcomed home to Devonport Naval Base after a lengthy deployment. (Source: New Zealand Defence Force.)

HMNZS Aotearoa played a critical support role throughout the year as the fleet tanker, from resupplying Scott Base and McMurdo Station to refuelling partner nations’ ships while operating alongside the navies of Australia, Canada, France, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam.

Commanding Officer Commander Rob Welford said the entire ship’s company could take “real pride” in what they had achieved over the course of the year.

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JCs Royal New Zealand Navy Ships and New Zealand Defence, Also other World Defence Updates