All RNZN/NZDF News Past and Present

Leading Electronic Technician (LET) Joshua Ashby opens the throttle towards the Jet Ski World Finals in Arizona in October.

31 July, 2024

LET Ashby says he got into jet skiing in 2018 during his Basic Branch training, during a wet Auckland weekend.

“I thought, that looks fun and my Dad has a jet ski in the garage; why not give it a go?

“Since then, it’s been a wide open ride and I’ve never looked back, although at times my bank account would advise me otherwise.”

LET Ashby says he’s had exhilarating times racing around New Zealand in the last six years.

“I’ve been learning from some of the best in the world and I’ve been going toe-to-toe with former world champions.”

So far he’s notched up titles as NZ National Champion, North Island Champion, South Island Champion, NZ Tour Champion, Winter Endurance Champion and Rider of the Year.

This year he claimed third at the New Zealand Nationals, which qualifies him to compete at the 43^rd Annual Short Block Technologies WGP-1 World Finals in Arizona, October 5-14.

“The Royal New Zealand Navy has supported me throughout my racing journey over the last six years, allowing me to attend events on a regular basis while also assisting with transport of my jet ski to the south island when I was posted to HMNZS Canterbury in 2021.

“The RNZN has made the journey of growing as a racer and travelling around the country so easy and I’ll be forever thankful for allowing me to chase my dreams.”

23 July, 2024

The Aucklander will be in charge of Taupo, which carries out maritime surveillance, fishery patrols, boarding operations, navigation training and search and rescue response around New Zealand’s 15,000km coast and out to the 200 nautical mile limit of the country’s economic exclusive zone.

 “Within the Navy it’s significant to undertake command as a lieutenant as junior sailors and officers are more comfortable talking to peers. If I can act as conduit right to the top, it’s a powerful connection,” Lieutenant Mara said.

The inshore patrol vessel HMNZS Taupo – one of the busiest ships in the RNZN fleet.

Commanding Officer of HMNZS Taupo, Lieutenant Toby Mara with the ship’s Symbol of Command

He joined the Navy in 2014 despite never having been to sea before.

Lieutenant Mara quickly learned about Navy life with his first posting to the offshore patrol vessel HMNZS Otago as a trainee watchkeeper and travelled throughout the south west Pacific, circumnavigated New Zealand and conducted several deployments to the Sub-Antarctic Islands and the Ross Sea.

Lieutenant Mara then posted to frigate HMNZS Te Mana with the primary goal of obtaining his warfare ticket, the final tick he needed to become a qualified officer of the watch.

While on Te Mana he travelled from Hawaii, through South East Asia and Australia, taking part in several international exercises and wider defence engagement opportunities.

The exposure was invaluable and resulted in Lieutenant Mara gaining his final qualification and officially finishing his time as a trainee watchkeeper.

Lieutenant Mara with the HMNZS Taupo’s sponsor Lady Susan Satyanand and members of the ship’s company

His posting to HMNZS Hawea as a Navigation Officer would ultimately put him in good stead to steer Taupo, he said.

“Having experience on Hawea, which is also an inshore patrol vessel, makes me very comfortable with pilotage and how the ship manoeuvres. I think it will set me up well to supervise new officers of the watch on their basic course,” he said. 

Last year, Lieutenant Mara was posted to Bahrain to Counter Narcotics Task Force, which at the time was under French command. During his six months there the task force seized and destroyed about $US500 million worth of narcotics.

The most exciting part of taking command of Taupo is the 24-strong ship’s company, he said.

“This will provide me an opportunity to mentor junior officers, lead a small group of skilled sailors and take the ship around New Zealand to demonstrate to the wider community what the Navy is capable of.”