Wellington soldier grasps leadership opportunity with NZ Army Reserve Force

Combining culture, leadership and community service, Wellington-based Second Lieutenant Nīkau Wi Neera has found a winning combination of all three in the New Zealand Army Reserve Force.

28 May, 2025

A CSM is the key adviser to the company commander on matters related to welfare, training and discipline of soldiers, and ensures the company functions effectively and standards are maintained.

“Second Lieutenant Wi Neera has consistently placed himself out of his comfort zone, I think it’s something at his core. He has a lot of mana. He listens and takes on advice and I’m looking forward to seeing his development as a young officer.

“His first main leadership role will be on Exercise Tauwharenīkau where he can practice some of the learnings from his commissioning course and concentrate on developing his own leadership style,” he said.

Exercise Tauwharenīkau, held in late July at Waiouru Military Training Area, is an annual NZ Army Reserve Force training activity, involving up to 250 personnel from different corps and units around New Zealand. The soldiers are able to maintain and enhance their technical skills in a large-scale training activity utilising a range of NZ Army weapons and capabilities.

Second Lieutenant Wi Neera is an accomplished film composer and will soon finish his term as city councillor for Wellington’s Whanganui-a-Tara Māori Ward. He has studied te reo Māori, speaks German, holds a Bachelor of Music, a Postgraduate Diploma in Anthropology, and is about to embark on a Master of Arts in Archeology, not to mention awards in short story writing and many composing awards.

Second Lieutenant Wi Neera says he has enjoyed serving in 5/7 RNZIR under the “ruthlessly efficient and extremely funny CSM who understands the philosophy behind good leadership”.

“Military leadership is second to none. The culture of high standards, trust of subordinates, discipline and making mates for life are one of the many reasons I stay. I’m looking forward to Exercise Tauwharenīkau and developing the skills gained from my commissioning course.”

Soldiers sit and stand around a gravel area as a soldier is talking to the group.

Company Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class 2 Michael Dale (lower right rear) and Lieutenant Lachlan Scott (standing centre rear), observe training

A solider explaining something to another soldier amongst tall trees.

Company Sergeant Major for Wellington Company, Warrant Officer Class 2 Michael Dale provides guidance to a soldier during a live field firing training activity.

Two soldiers smile. The man on the left has his hands on his hips, while the man on the right holds a rifle.

Company Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class Two Michael Dale of Wellington Company, 5th/7th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, stands with newly commissioned Second Lieutenant Nikau Wi Neera on a recent training activity preparing for Exerc

Second Lieutenant Nīkau Wi Neera leads the Haka at the 2021 Recruit Territorial Force 167 Graduation Parade.

The newly commissioned, Kāpiti Coast-born officer of Ngāti Toarangatira descent, says the culture of high standards and leadership training has equipped him with skills he can incorporate throughout many elements of his civilian life.

He joined the NZ Army Reserve Force in 2021, serving as an infantry soldier in the 5th/7th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (5/7 RNZIR).

“Service to the community is something important that was taught to me by my cultural upbringing. I felt that joining the military was the natural fulfilment of an obligation to serve,” Second Lieutenant Wi Neera said.

“Coming from a culture in which leadership is by example, I have looked up to my iwi leaders in their consistent exercise of rangatiratanga (chieftainship). The military leadership training I have received has accorded me further exposure to effective leaders and has given me tools for the rest of my life.”

Demonstrating painga (willingness) right from the outset, Second Lieutenant Wi Neera said he spoke on behalf of his course at Rongomaraeroa-o-ngā-hau-e-whā (Army National Marae, Waiouru) and was given the privilege of leading the haka at graduation.

Company Sergeant Major (CSM), Warrant Officer Class Two Michael Dale of Wellington Company, 5/7 RNZIR says he has the privilege of watching soldiers like Second Lieutenant Wi Neera develop throughout their Reserve Force careers.