Wairoa woman takes RNZAF chance as teen, now to help rangatahi find their purpose

In 2013, in the small town of Kotemaori, Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay, 16-year-old Nikara Ross watched her sister join the Services Academy programme through their local school, so the next year she did too. Now, more than 10 years later, she has the opportunity to make an impact on the youth of New Zealand and is giving back to the unit that first introduced her to the New Zealand Defence Force.

“I saw the uniform my sister was provided and I honestly joined Services Academy so I could get something of my own, something that was mine and fitted just me, so I signed up,” said Corporal Ross.

Once Corporal Ross was in the environment she found she really enjoyed the military lifestyle as a whole and that made her want to stay for both her Year 12 and 13 school years.

“The instructors really made it for me. The way they spoke to us and treated us, they gave us confidence and showed us that we could achieve. It made me think I could actually do this for a job.”

“I had thought about joining the New Zealand Army as a career option, as from our town most people would go and get a job at the meat works, which I did temporarily, but that really didn’t interest me.

“I had a female instructor during both my years at the services academy and she told me that she believed I was destined to do something great in my future and talked me through options of things I could do in the military and that’s ultimately what made my decision about joining the Air Force.

“I had preconceived ideas of the Air Force, and I didn’t think there would be a place for a girl like me, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Before teaching others, Corporal Ross wanted to make sure she had experience under her belt so she wasn’t just talking the talk, and could give trainees a bigger world view of things to help them see there is more out there for them. 

“I joined the Air Force in 2019 to be a Logistics Specialist and after trade training I was posted to Air Movements. I have had so many opportunities and have travelled to 12 countries. The most notable for me would be Japan and Solomon Islands which I actually got an operational medal for, but my plan was always to become a Youth Development Specialist and work in the unit that started it all for me. Having instructors that made an impact on me was my motivation to do the same for others.

“For me it goes beyond teaching stability and discipline. It’s about shaping futures and opening doors that many young people never imagined were possible.“

Corporal Ross got choked up when reflecting on the parts of the role that mean the most to her. 

“Seeing them marching out at the end of the course, knowing they may have entered with no confidence in the hope they may learn skills to gain employment, but seeing how much they’ve grown as people, the gratitude they have, and knowing they are leaving with more than they expected is so meaningful.”

“If I can change one person’s life like that instructor did for me then I’m set. That’s what makes this one of the most fulfilling jobs I’ve ever had.”

The Youth Development Unit within the NZDF runs Services Academy programmes for year 12 and 13 students, alongside Ministry of Education, Limited Services Volunteer programmes, for adult volunteers aged 18-24, alongside Ministry of Social Development, and the Blue Light programme alongside NZ Police. The courses help young people gain life skills, confidence for employment, education and community participation, for the benefit of New Zealand’s communities and young people.