RNZN Personnel

Tuesday, December 3, 2024 – 16:28 – Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand

Royal New Zealand Navy 2024 Sailor of the Year, Joe Mataele. Photo: RNZN.

Joe Mataele, a Leading Marine Technician (LMT) who grew up in Tonga, was named the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) 2024 Sailor of the Year.

LMT Mataele “is a highly respected engineer known for his motivation, problem-solving abilities, and a steadfast commitment to safety and continuous professional growth,” RNZN stated.

He is also a Basic Common Training instructor for RNZN newest aspiring sailors.

“LMT Mataele is an inspiring leader who lays a strong foundation in discipline, accountability, and teamwork, ensuring our recruits are prepared to meet the demands of naval service with confidence and resilience.”

“His guidance goes beyond technical skills, fostering a warrior mind-set and deep understanding of our core values. His professionalism, resilience, and unwavering dedication sets a very high benchmark for others to follow,” RNZN added.

Pacific Islands

Tonga

RNZN

Tongan overseas

Royal New Zealand Navy’s Sailor of the Year

Former Bream Bay College head boy Cameron Wright says no two days are the same in the Royal New Zealand Navy.

19 September, 2024

Able Communications Warfare Specialist Wright (ACWS) is serving on board maritime sustainment vessel HMNZS Aotearoa, which is in the vicinity of the Korean peninsula. HMNZS Aotearoa is contributing to the monitoring of United Nations Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions against North Korea, undertaking replenishment of international naval vessels on patrol.

As a Communications Warfare Specialist, his job is to provide secure, reliable and effective communications using radio, satellite, visual and information technology.

“When we are travelling with other ships my role turns into being a Watchkeeper. This means I work different hours throughout the day and night.

“Sometimes we stop voice communication and signal to other ships using flashing lights or signal flags.

“I am also a part of the ships Standing Sea Emergency Party team, to respond if there is an emergency on board.”

In posting to Aotearoa, ACWS Wright has recently been to Exercise Rim of the Pacific 24, the world’s largest maritime exercise, based in Hawaii. From there, the ship is undertaking a South East Asia deployment, including port visits to Japan and Korea.

This deployment has definitely been the highlight of his Navy career so far.

“Something I am particularly proud of is the opportunity to lead my department through a dual refuelling at sea that involved two American destroyers.”

“What I like about this job is that no matter what tough moments I have on board, I can always count on my shipmates to cheer me up. It’s the personnel I get to work with on a daily basis and the chance to interact with other nations.”

This included Aotearoa spending time at sea with Canadian frigate HMCS Vancouver between Hawaii and Japan, with selected personnel from both ships swapping over for 24 hours to experience life in a different ship.

ACWS Wright, 22, is from Ruakākā, south of Whangarei. He joined the Navy in 2021.

“I’ve had family that have served the military in the past, and I liked the idea of being paid to travel.”

His advice to someone thinking about the Navy is to consider all the possibilities offered.

“If you want to do something different with your life and travel the NZDF has so many options to cater for everyone’s interests.”