Cromwell soldier embraces being the enemy in familiar playground

“My love for adventure was inbuilt as a kid, and going to stunning locations like Fiordland and Mt Aspiring for school camps really cemented that passion,” says the Cromwell-based infantry soldier. 

That passion was put to good use on Exercise Tauwharenīkau 2026, where Lance Corporal Graham spent nine days in the field as part of the exercise’s Opposition Force (OPFOR).

Opposition Force plays a critical role in the exercise by providing a realistic and thinking adversary, challenging soldiers and leaders to adapt, make decisions under pressure, and apply their training in a demanding operational environment.

Their mission was to create a demanding combat environment that helps sharpen soldiers’ skills and assess readiness for warfighting operations.

The exercise used a Tactical Engagement Simulation System, which simulates the trajectory, impact, and effects of live fire with eye-safe lasers and blank ammunition.

“This means our staff observing and evaluating would know if we had been shot,” he said. 

When he is not serving in uniform, the 32-year-old former Central Southland College student works as a senior guide for Dart River Adventures, leading canoeing and rafting expeditions through the spectacular waterways of Mt Aspiring National Park.

His Reserve Force service has also seen him contribute to a range of domestic operations, including humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts during the Port Hills fires, flooding in Dunedin, and assisting Police with an evidence search.

“Some of the tasks were pretty grim, but the experience of helping the community was really rewarding,” he said. 

The skills and experiences gained through Reserve Force service have also supported his civilian career.

For those considering joining, Lance Corporal Graham encourages people to take advantage of everything the Army Reserve Force has to offer. 

“There’s leadership training, driver courses, medical training, all sorts of opportunities, and they can transfer into your civilian employment too.

“There’s leadership training, driving qualifications, medical training and a wide range of professional development opportunities that are valuable both within the Army and in civilian careers.” 

Exercise Tauwharenīkau 2026 ran from 18–26 July and brought together more than 350 New Zealand Army Reserve Force personnel, 40 Australian Army Reservists from 5th Brigade, and Regular Force personnel. 

The exercise developed combat readiness, strengthens leadership at all levels, and enhanced interoperability between New Zealand and Australian forces in a realistic and challenging training environment.

Each Reserve Force company has its own training programme in line with its battalion’s training focus.  Company-led training typically occurs one weekend a month with platoon-level training occurring once a week.   

More information on the New Zealand Army Reserve Force can be found at www.defencecareers.mil.nz(external link) or phone 0800 1 FORCE.