Hawke’s Bay Navy Officer leads New Zealand contingent at Gallipoli

As Contingent Commander, Commander Burson oversaw the NZDF personnel who took part in commemorations at Anzac Cove and Chunuk Bair. Selected by the Chief of Navy, the appointment reflected both her operational experience and her long-standing desire to attend Gallipoli in a military capacity.

"Since joining the Navy, I’d always wanted to take part in Gallipoli commemorations," Commander Burson said. "To have done so in uniform, and as contingent commander, was an honour."

Commander Burson’s connection to Gallipoli is both personal and professional. Her great-grandfather and his brother fought in the campaign — and survived. "It was incredibly meaningful to represent New Zealand at the same site where they once stood."

She joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in 2011 after taking a break from university and rowing full time. Encouraged by a former boss — an Honorary Naval Officer — she attended a Navy Adventure Challenge and was subsequently awarded a university scholarship.

Since then, she has deployed on operations throughout the Middle East, including a posting to Abu Dhabi, where she worked alongside the defence attaché and supported the New Zealand ambassador to Iraq in Baghdad. 

In 2015, she took part in First World War commemorative services in Belgium and France — an experience she described as incredibly moving. "Gallipoli felt like the next chapter."

Now serving as personal staff officer to the Chief of Navy, Commander Burson said 2025 had already brought two career highlights: visiting Gallipoli and the Taj Mahal — "two bucket-list activities in one year."

She says she was proud to represent both the Navy and her hometown on the world stage.