Leading Combat Specialist, Tehuki-Maia McDonald.
06 August 2007
Tehuki-Maia McDonald has Canterbury running through his blood.
HMNZS Canterbury that is.
A Leading Combat Specialist on the recently commissioned multi role vessel, Tehuki-Maia McDonald has a family connection with both the new and old versions of the ship.
“My Father commissioned the first Canterbury in 1971, and I was lucky enough to decommission her in 2005,” says McDonald, whose father was also in the Navy for 22 years.
“He was able to sea ride with the ship and me from Christchurch to Auckland for its final trip ever, which was great.”
And now as the new Canterbury is in Lyttelton for its homecoming with McDonald junior onboard, the trip has come full circle.
“My parents and sister live in Christchurch so it was a good experience for them to see a brand new Navy ship pull into Lyttelton,” McDonald says.
“To bring back the ship to New Zealand is a great experience for me, knowing that this ship will still be in service even after my time has finished in the Navy. It was great to see everyone’s reactions when they saw this enormous vessel pull up to her home port, Lyttelton, and it'll be the same when we pull into Devonport Naval Base later in July,” says the Cantabrian, who himself is a father of two.
Onboard ship, McDonald’s primary job is operating the combat system which assists in the detection and tracking of all potential targets below the surface, on the surface or in the air. But it’s not all sitting down at a computer. McDonald says he is relishing his career in the Navy and the “life less ordinary".
“I went on my first overseas deployment when I was 18 and I’ve seen so many different countries and their cultures,” says McDonald.
“Peacekeeping in Timor Leste was definitely a highlight.
“The Navy has given me confidence, travel and friends for life and now I am proud to be a part of this ships company in commissioning the new ship.” he said.
ENDS