HMNZS Te Mana in home port

For two crewmen on board the Anzac Frigate HMNZS Te Mana, the ship's visit to its home port is also the visit to their home port.

Midshipman (MID) Matthew Barnett, 20, and Able Communications Warfare Specialist (ACWS) Michael Simpson-Woods, 23, both attended Tauranga Boys' College and joined the navy for similar reasons.


The HMNZS Te Mana arrived in Tauranga on Thursday afternoon. Photo: Chris Callinan

Matthew Barnett says his main reason for joining was to 'travel the world”, while Michael Simpson-Woods also thought travel was 'enticing, and it sounded better than studying at university”.

They are both looking forward to catching up with family and friends while the Te Mana is in port at Tauranga this week in preparation for the crew's Charter Parade from the waterfront to the Tauranga City Council offices.

The entire ship's company will be granted the 'Freedom of the City” on Saturday, in honour of their loyal relationship with the city as a home port, and will exercise the right to march through the city's streets 'with drums beating, bands playing, colours flying, bayonets fixed and swords drawn”.


Midshipman (MID) Matthew Barnett. Supplied Photo

Matthew is a junior bridge officer.

'My day-to-day job at sea includes watchkeeping on the bridge where I am training to be in charge of the ship's safe navigation and running the ship's routine,” says Matthew.

He joined the crew of HMNZS Te Mana after completing his basic Officer of the Watch training, which includes basic navigation and ship handling.

'Being a watch keeper on HMNZS Te Mana and being able to drive one of the ‘flagships' of our fleet is an awesome feeling.

'The Navy is a great place to start your working life. What better way than travelling the world and being paid to do it? I'm seeing things that not many people get to do and see in a lifetime, let alone two years out of school.”


Able Communications Warfare Specialist (ACWS) Michael Simpson-Woods. Supplied Photo.

Michael Simpson-Woods is a rating specialising in communications.

'As a Communications Warfare Specialist, it is my job to provide, operate and maintain various forms of communications equipment, such as radios, flag hoist and Morse code via flashing light”.

Along the way, so far he has been to the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Auckland Islands and Chatham Islands.

The highlight of his career so far is participating in the Dawn Service as a member of the Catafalque Guard for the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings in Turkey, says Michael.

This year is the 75th Anniversary of the Royal New Zealand Navy. The Charter Parade begins at 11am at Tauranga's waterfront. HMNZS Te Mana will also hold an open day on Saturday from 10-4pm.


The frigate HMNZS Te Mana and supply ship HMNZS Endeavour at Te Mana's home port of Tauranga so the crew can take part in the charter parade on Saturday morning. Photo: Chris Callinan.

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