Protection of merchant shipping top of agenda for Navy reservist

Sub Lieutenant Kamo, a Maritime Trade Operations Officer with Auckland-based Navy Reserve unit HMNZS Ngapona, has recently completed Exercise Bell Buoy, a 10-day desktop naval wargames exercise at Devonport Naval Base in Auckland, involving naval and government representatives from 10 countries. 

Exercise Bell Buoy fostered a Maritime Trade Operations capability among members of the Pacific and Indian Oceans Shipping Working Group.

Maritime Trade Operators (MTOs) - usually Navy reservists – provide sailing information, conduct briefings to ship masters and manage high-risk areas at sea, including re-routing of merchant shipping in a contested environment. 

Sub Lieutenant Kamo says the Middle East conflict has really brought home the importance of their trade. 

“Everything that is playing out over there, is everything we have trained for,” he said.

“People have become a lot more interested in what we do, and they can see the relevance of it.

“The real highlight for us is spending time with other countries, getting to know other people and getting a great sense of how they apply NATO doctrine and its effects.

“You get to see the development of professional relationships and strategic alignment with our international counterparts which is really cool to be part of.” 

Sub Lieutenant Kamo, who works as a Director (Strategy) at Kainga Ora Homes and Communities, attended Aranui High School in Christchurch followed by undergraduate studies at Canterbury University. 

He finished with a master’s degree from Lincoln University in Resource Management and Planning. 

He served in the New Zealand Army regular forces and reserves following university studies and then pursued a professional career across the public service and private sector. 

During his employment at Hobsonville Land Company he met a fellow reservist who was in the process of transferring into the Navy Reserve. 

Sub Lieutenant Kamo decided to do likewise and graduated as a Navy Reserve Force officer in 2023.

MTO is an exciting trade to be in according to Sub Lieutenant Kamo. He’s actively seeking opportunities to deploy overseas in support of the United Kingdom’s maritime security activities in the Middle East.

New Zealand Defence Force Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Shane Arndell, says world tensions are prompting navies to look at Maritime Trade Operations and Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping in a new light. 

“Safe passage of merchant shipping and freedom of navigation is likely more relevant today than at any time since the Second World War,” he said.

With 99 percent of New Zealand’s imports and exports travelling by sea, it has never been more important to ensure sea lanes are secure.

“The deteriorating strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific, and indeed the world, is requiring us to be more alert of the potential for impacts to our vital shipping links to international markets.”