New Zealand Defence Force personnel support largest US Navy humanitarian and civil assistance mission

Stretching from Hawaii through to the Philippines, the Pacific Partnership mission visited eight countries to address immediate needs and long-term resilience. 

This included providing medical and veterinary care, infrastructure support, disaster-response training, environmental health and permaculture, agriculture and apiculture assistance.

Joining the US Navy ship USS John L Canley at Guam, former Piopio College and Nelson College student Sub Lieutenant Ngawaka was settling into his role as assistant to the Multinational Operations Coordination Cell Director, when the director had to return home and Sub Lieutenant Ngawaka stepped up to fill his shoes. 

That put Sub Lieutenant Ngawaka in charge of coordinating around 50 personnel from Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore and the United Kingdom who were attached to the exercise. 

Sub Lieutenant Ngawaka, who had only joined the Navy in 2022, said he had to learn a lot in a short amount of time for the new role he found himself in.

“Commonwealth nations' navies are kind of similar and operate loosely off the same structure, just with their own quirks. The US is completely different. Their structure, laws, policies, procedures were a whole new world,” he said.

“Integrating everyone and ensuring the partner nations were set up to achieve mission effects was key learning experience, but it didn't happen without its challenges.”

Sub Lieutenant Ngawaka was the only Kiwi embarked on the ship, but connected with other New Zealand Defence Force personnel deployed to the Samoan leg of the activity.  

In Samoa, RNZN Commander Kasey Munro led a team of six navy and New Zealand Army personnel supporting health initiatives, disaster preparedness and Women, Peace and Security initiatives. 

“I have been honoured to have a few visits to Samoa in my naval career, most recently as Commander Task Group for Operation Resolution,” Commander Munro said.

“It was wonderful working within the Women, Peace and Security initiative in my deployment to Pacific Partnership, to empower women’s roles in disaster management, community resilience and health security. 

“Coming back to Samoa allowed me to reconnect with old friends, and it felt like I was returning home.” 

For Sub Lieutenant Ngawaka, the USS John L Canley took him from Guam to Palau, Samoa, Vanuatu and Hawaii, to see the real time and real life effect the mission had on the people of the host nations. 

“My personal highlight was seeing how meaningful the contribution was to the mission stops,” Sub Lieutenant Ngawaka said.

“Joy came from different areas.  From the medical screenings and appointments, to the band playing for the Palau high school students dancing and cheering in the pouring rain. It was awesome to see.”  

As the 21st Pacific Partnership draws to a close, Sub Lieutenant Ngawaka said the deployment had broadened his views on the world and given him unforgettable experiences. 

“I've had the privilege of working with so many different characters and personalities, all of which I hope to stay connected with.”