Fourteen NZDF personnel have joined a multinational contingent in Solomon Islands to dispose of dangerous explosive remnants of war (ERW) under Operation Render Safe.

09 September, 2024

The Australian Defence Force-led operation will see up to 250 personnel from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and United States in support of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) experts from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) to dispose of the munitions left from the Second World War. 

The Kiwi team is made up of seven Royal New Zealand Navy and seven New Zealand Army personnel in EOD, command, medical, logistics and catering roles, supporting the largest ever land-based Operation Render Safe.  

Captain S (identity withheld) is the Senior National Officer for the New Zealand contingent and an EOD operator, and says that the operation will make a real difference to the safety of communities in Solomon Islands’ Western Province. 

Seven Royal New Zealand Navy personnel are part of the 14 strong NZDF team locating and disposing of explosive remnants of war in Solomon Islands under the ADF-led Operation Render Safe.

“More than 2600 explosive remnants of war have been removed from communities in Solomon Islands’ Western Province so far, and it has been a privilege to be a part of the multinational team dedicated to reducing this number and improving the safety of the local population. 

“The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, as regional experts in explosive ordnance disposal, play a crucial role in this effort. We are proud to collaborate with them and our military partners to reduce the potential harm to communities here.”

The Kiwis arrived in Australia in mid-August to conduct Force integration training, which gives all participating nations a good understanding of how each other work, before deploying into the area of operations in Solomon Islands last week. 

Reconnaissance operations to locate ERW have been underway since the end of August.

The Kiwis will return to New Zealand in mid-September.

Rear Admiral Garin Golding says he can’t wait to get his feet under his new desk and get started.

09 September, 2024

His appointment as Chief of Navy was announced at Parliament on 28 August, alongside the appointments for Commander Joint Forces, Chief of Army and Vice Chief of Defence Force.

He was promoted to Rear Admiral the following day at Defence House. This morning the formal ceremony for his Assignment of Command as Chief of Navy took place at Te Taua Moana Marae, Devonport Naval Base.

His predecessor, Rear Admiral David Proctor, had relinquished his command on May 11, with Commodore Andrew Brown stepping in as Acting Chief of Navy.

Growing up on the North Shore, Auckland, RADM Golding is a student of Target Road Primary School, Wairau Intermediate and Glenfield College.

As a 17-year-old, he had ambitions to join the NZ Police, but he wasn’t old enough. His father, Warrant Officer (rtd) Reece Golding MNZM, MSM, suggested the teenager try out for Navy officer selection, telling him it would be good experience. RADM Golding joined the Royal New Zealand Navy on 25 January 1988.

Initially RADM Golding took a traditional path through the Navy as a Navigating Officer before taking up a specialisation in diving.

He posted to HMNZ Ships Waikato, Tamaki, Monowai, Southland, Wellington, Tui, Manawanui, Canterbury and Endeavour in the course of his warfare officer training, which included an ‘around the world’ deployment in Canterbury, in company with Endeavour, in 1993.

He commenced specialist diving training in 1994, passing his Able/Leading Diver course with notable results.

He then completed the RAN Clearance Diving Officer course held at HMAS Penguin, Australia, which he passed as top student.  In 1996, RADM Golding concluded his diving training by completing the RN Mine Warfare Officers course in HMS Dryad. On his return to New Zealand, he was posted to the staff of the Maritime Commander, New Zealand and appointed Staff Diving Officer.

Between January 2000 and October 2002, RADM Golding completed a two-year diving exchange with the Royal Malaysian Navy based in Lumut. Following his time there, he was appointed Commanding Officer Manawanui, which included deployments to South East Asia and the South Pacific.

RADM Golding has since been the Commander of the Deployable Joint Inter-Agency Task Force, the Acting Chief of Navy (Strategy and Engagement) and most recently the Maritime Component Commander.

He told the audience at his promotion that he was excited to get to work with a very talented executive leadership team.

“There are a lot of people who have supported me throughout my career. You know who you are. Thank you for your ongoing support that you’ve provided me, and I hope that will continue into my next role.”