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Former St Peters College (Gore) student to command HMNZS Te Mana

It’s not often a Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) engineer is told, “you have the ship”, but it’s a role Commander Chris Bone is more than ready to take on.

Commander Bone, who grew up in Gore, recently assumed command of RNZN frigate HMNZS Te Mana, and will lead the ship through an extended maintenance period at Devonport Naval Base to prepare it for future deployments.

It’s relatively familiar ground for Commander Bone, who was the Marine Engineering Officer (MEO) for HMNZS Te Mana between 2020-2023, leading the engineering department through the ship’s regeneration following the Frigate Systems Upgrade in Canada.

HMNZS Te Mana. Photo: NZDF

He was also the Assistant MEO on HMNZS Te Kaha following its Platform System upgrade in 2013-2015.

These experiences have set him up well for this command.

“This posting for me is an opportunity to put the knowledge I’ve gained through being part of two regeneration cycles across both frigates to the best use for the organisation” Commander Bone said.

HMNZS Te Mana is normally crewed by up to 178 sailors that are trained in operating in peacetime environments and conflict. Commander Bone says frigate time and culture definitely make an impression.

“The culture, team environment and camaraderie that comes with a frigate – whether it be within your messdeck, department, mess or across the whole ship – cannot be understated.”

“Every ship in our Navy develops this, but on a frigate you live and work together in such close confines, deploy for longer periods, and train for operations where the possibility of damage is that much more real – that team environment is amplified, and the satisfaction and sense of achievement from your time on the ship, as well as the friendships you make, stays with you for life.”

Commander Chris Bone (right) holds his Command Directive, presented by Acting Chief of Navy Commodore Andrew Brown. Photo: NZDF

Commander Bone joined the Navy straight from finishing at St Peter’s College.

He attended the University of Auckland, obtaining a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours), before undertaking the Systems Engineering Management Course (Marine Engineering) at HMS Sultan in the United Kingdom.

Commander Bone has served on HMNZ Ships Te Kaha, Te Mana, Endeavour, and Aotearoa, as well as the Royal Navy’s HMS Illustrious.

Highlights of his career have included the centenary celebrations of Anzac Day aboard HMNZS Te Kaha during the multi-national sailpast of Anzac Cove, sailing up the Thames in London aboard HMS Illustrious, and his time in Canada with HMNZS Te Mana which enabled him to get some great North American skiing in during his downtime from ship.

“I am looking forward to ensuring that the Ship’s Company of Te Mana are able to enjoy their work and workplace, and to take their ship from maintenance in drydock, and through a regeneration cycle, ready to deliver on whatever tasking the government and NZDF leadership put in front of them – and in achieving this I hope that all of the team on the ship can feel the sense of accomplishment that will come with it.”

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HMS Tamar returns to New Zealand to visit windiest city in the world

Imogen Rogers – 23rd August 2024 at 12:00pm

HMS Tamar arrived in the New Zealand capital following exercises with the Royal Australian Air Force (Picture: HMS Tamar)

HMS Tamar announced her arrival in New Zealand on social media with the Māori-language greeting ‘Kia ora!’, sharing pictures of the vessel coming alongside in Wellington – the windiest city in the world. 

The Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel is deployed to the Indo-Pacific and has worked with the New Zealand Defence Force on several occasions, such as tackling illegal fishing in Fiji.

She and her sister ship, HMS Spey, are on a​ five-year deployment to the Indo-Pacific region as part of the Royal Navy and UK’s commitment to the region.

Iona Thomas, the British High Commissioner to New Zealand, said: “The UK and New Zealand’s relationship is incredibly close when it comes to defence and security and it’s been wonderful to see HMS Tamar in the Pacific, and particularly, working closely with a Royal New Zealand Navy team to make sure they are keeping waters safe.”

On Saturday, whilst docked in Queens Wharf, the ship will open her gangway to allow members of the public on board.

HMS Tamar’s arrival in the New Zealand capital comes after the ship took part in a long-range training exercise in the middle of the Pacific alongside the Royal Australian Air Force.

Before that she visited Vanuatu, an 80-plus island archipelago, where the crew helped the South Pacific nation mark the 44th anniversary of its independence. They welcomed visitors aboard and carried out work helping the Ministry of Health in the village of Pango.

The vessel can perform a variety of roles, from intercepting drug-traffickers and smugglers to protecting UK territorial waters and providing humanitarian assistance in the wake of a disaster.

HMS Spey visited New Zealand last year but was greeted slightly differently. 

Members of the Royal New Zealand Navy performed the traditional Māori war dance, otherwise known as the Haka, for the UK crew as they arrived at Devonport Naval Base on Auckland’s North Shore.

HMNZS Canterbury docks in home port of Lyttelton for five-day visit

The HMNZS Canterbury is back in Lyttelton. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

The Royal New Zealand Navy vessel, the HMNZS Canterbury, has docked in her home port of Lyttelton for a five-day visit.

The vessel is regularly deployed to the Pacific, but is now on a one-month trip around Aotearoa training junior officers for future operations.

Its primary mission is to deploy personnel, vehicles and cargo, either at ports or using landing craft, helicopter airlifts or boats.

It has its own mini hospital, with two ward-like rooms and the equipment to perform surgery, if necessary.

Cantabrian Ordinary Hydrographic Systems operator Cameron Norton said it was exciting to sail into an area with which he was familiar.

”It was amazing, like being able to be on the foc’s’le as we’re driving into Lyttelton and get to see, see this place again, like on a navy ship. It was pretty cool.” foc’s’le can also be written as ‘forecastle’ – it’s a part of a ship – Anna

Ordinary Hydrographic Systems operator James Marsh agreed.

“Yeah, it was quite exciting just coming down the coast and seeing places that you recognise and stuff like that.”

On board are 154 sailors, as well as 13 current trainees.

Ordinary Hydrographic Systems operators Camera Norton and James Marsh with Ensign Bravo Watchkeeper under training Renee Woodward.

Cameron Norton, James Marsh and Renèe Woodward. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Ensign Bravo Watchkeeper under training Renèe Woodward said being on board gave her first-hand experience and training.

She said while the days could be busy, the crew were well looked after and their tummies were kept full.

“We always get Duff, so Duff is dessert, so it will be like biscuits or slice or anything. It’s really good. It’s 10 out 10 … food’s a pretty big morale-booster for the ship’s company, so food is a very integral part of keeping the ship moving and going forward.”

Commanding Officer Bron Heslop

Ship commander Bronwyn Heslop. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Ship commander Bronwyn Heslop said the training carried out during Canterbury’s stint in Aotearoa was important.

“Just to train people to give them experience of how to conduct themselves both at sea and ashore.

“Just trying to bring back some of the training that we’ve missed with attrition and with Covid-19 and an absence of ships readily available at sea.”

Commander Heslop said HMNZS Canterbury was a unique vessel.

“The ship is the coolest in the world because it is Army, Air Force and Navy together.

“So although I wear blue and I’m in the Navy, I have army embarked all the time. I have seven army, the ship’s amphibious load team and we embark Air Force and they come with us.

“And so our motto is called kotahitanga, unity, so it’s the Defence Force united.” she said.

HMNZS Canterbury

Inside the HMNZS Canterbury. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Canterbury was last in Lyttelton to help with the response to Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023.

It was stationed at Campbell and Auckland Islands when the storm hit but headed back to the mainland.

Commander Heslop said the coordination was incredible.

“A huge response, Ngāi Tahu were amazing and brought generators, the army brought bridges over from Burnham, and lots and lots of stores.

“We did lots and lots of shopping for feminine products and nappies and things to take up, and then we sailed for Napier. “

HMNZS Canterbury’s next destination is Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting with King Charles in October.

The vessel will be back in Lyttelton next year for the 15th anniversary of the Christchurch earthquakes.