Dunedin students onboard with expanded Navy camp week

Year 13 students Nick Reid and Ryan Pariachi recently attended the week-long camp at Devonport Naval Base in Auckland, where the initial tranche of 16 female students was followed by 20 males.

School to Seas has traditionally been for female students interested in science, technology, engineering and maths, but the criteria for 2026 was expanded to reach a broader cross seciton. 

The camp offers the students crucial one-on-one facetime with service personnel who can share their experiences and answer questions about life as a sailor. 

The activities included a tour of HMNZ Ships Te Kaha and Taupo and talking to sailors about life at sea and visiting the engine spaces with technicians 

They learned to board ships at Devonport’s Seamanship Training Facility, observed firefighting training and did the hard yards with the physical training instructors.

During the Second World War, Nick’s great-grandfather, Leading Seaman Charles Ormond Dallas Napper, known by friends and family as Dall, served aboard training vessel HMS Philomel – New Zealand’s first warship – from which the naval base now takes its name.

“I love everything to do with the Navy and really see myself in the Navy in the future.”

He was surprised but pleased at the opportunity the Navy would give him to work on his fitness and to play sport, while also training and working.

The Navy would also give him pride and discipline through the strict processes he would need to follow, he said.

“School to Seas has allowed me to see the side of the New Zealand Defence Force the public don’t typically get to see and that’s been huge. It has reinforced to me why Navy really is my dream role.” 

For Ryan, he now plans on joining the Navy, where his cousins have already served, as soon as he leaves school. 

Although the beep test was tough, he loved the language used in the Navy (commonly known as ‘ Jack Speak’), and the fact that New Zealand has combat-capable frigates

“I was surprised by the lingo, but I really enjoyed seeing all the equipment and meeting like-minded people. I think I’d like to be an engineering officer.”

This was the first time the camp has had males participating and from what the School to Seas team observed it was a huge success, said Steve Hobbs, Navy Senior Project Manager. 

“They took every opportunity to engage with the RNZN sailors and ask them questions about their trades, their experiences, and other opportunities they have had as members of the RNZN,” he said.

“This gave the students a vast amount of information from which they can make an informed decision as to whether a career in the RNZN is for them.” 

More information about School to Seas Camps can be found at nzdf.mil.nz/school-to-seas(external link)