

Kaitaia Sailor celebrates commissioning to Naval Officer
Kaitaia’s Tyler Simeon says people used to talk down her options in life. Her family has gang connections and both her parents went to prison when she was 12.
10 January, 2022
“Over the years I was told I would end up as a no-hoper.”
She has since celebrated not one but two graduations in her Royal New Zealand Navy career, first as a Communication Warfare Specialist in 2011, and more recently as a commissioned Maritime Logistics Officer.
She wants to tell teens to never let their background, their upbringing or the opinion of others stop them from reaching for the stars.
In July, the 28-year-old began five months of Junior Officer Common Training at Devonport Naval Base, and on 18 December graduated among 10 women and 13 men from class 21/02.
She was promoted from Midshipman to Sub Lieutenant due to her Level 4 studies and experience.

Sub Lieutenant Tyler Simeon performs a haka alongside other graduates
As one of four graduating Maritime Logistics Officers, Sub Lieutenant Simeon will be responsible for the provision of support to the Navy’s ships, bases and personnel. She will manage supply chain systems, human resources, cash control, logistics planning, catering and food services, in many cases as a team leader.
She said her Navy career followed in her great-grandfather’s footsteps. He served on HMNZS Leander, a prominent New Zealand cruiser during World War II.
“I also wanted to travel, study, and earn money at the same time. University didn’t look as appealing with the hefty study loans. A lot of my close friends at school went for the Army or found jobs within Northland. I knew that if I joined the Navy I could leave Kaitaia and see the world.”
The distinctive character of Northland also ran strongly in the Navy, she said.
“People from home feel like family to me here in Devonport, because we have that distinct upbringing of Northland life and seem to just always look out for one another.”
There’s actual family as well. “Being Māori you tend to learn about whakapapa and your wider connections. I found out I’m related to a multitude of people in the Navy, through knowing my pepeha, my marae and being immersed in whakapapa growing up.” ~ Sub Lieutenant Simeon
She loved watching her colleagues grow in the Junior Officer course, and as an experienced sailor she looked out for them.

Sub Lieutenant Tyler Simeon, alongside Midshipman Tevita Tu’uta, conducts a fire exercise at the Navy’s Tamaki Leadership Centre, Whangaparaōa Peninsula.

Sub Lieutenant Tyler Simeon is looking forward to the next chapter of her Royal New Zealand Navy career
Her biggest challenge was a week-long exercise in Whangaparaōa in a team playing the role of a Navy advance force in a troubled Pacific Island.
“So much hard work, effort, sweat and tears leading up to that week and to look left and right at my ‘oppos’ during our night in the tunnels, knowing that we gave it everything, was definitely the best feeling to date. It was my biggest highlight of the course.”
Ahead of her are trade courses, training her in Maritime Logistics.
“I want to deploy to foreign countries and work with all three services, including land deployments. I would also like to study Human Resources and te reo Māori once I have a good grasp of my Maritime Logistics role.”
She has Level 4 Qualifications in Personal Training and loves doing CrossFit, weights, and coaching.
“I also love paddling in waka ama, which I do in Takapuna. Even with service life I’ve been able to this in my own time. In the future I would like to start up a Waka Ama club for the Navy.”
Her advice to others thinking about a Navy career is to go for it.
“Give it your everything and find your passion. Make sure you are physically and mentally prepared but also leave all expectations at the door.”

Helping others top priority for Auckland Air Force Medic
People
RNZAF career extends Tauranga woman’s family legacy
People
RNZAF helps Devonport woman keep flying career alive
People
NATO award for Army Officer's Afghanistan work
People

Sailor's input to United Nations Command
People

RNZAF 85: Aircraftman Kanapa Kerr
People

RNZAF 85: Pilot Officer Kiwi Walker
People

RNZAF 85: Flight Sergeant Kim Harrison
People

RNZAF 85: Warrant Officer Viti Flanagan
People

RNZAF 85: Sergeant Joyce McGee
People

RNZAF 85: Squadron Leader John "JV" Voice
People

RNZAF 85: Wing Commander Terry Knight
People

RNZAF 85: Flight Lieutenant Jack Hall
People

RNZAF 85: Flying Officer Arthur "Joppy" Joplin
People

Defence Adviser in Fiji
People

NZDF financial head acknowledged by accounting peers
People
Deployed to Solomon Islands
People

Welcoming 2022 in South Sudan
People

Back-to-back maintainer
People

Women in Science
People

Army Officer smashes Guinness Book of World Records kettlebell challenge
People

Air Force dream becomes a reality for Taranaki woman
People

Navy offers Whangarei teen a dream opportunity
People

Newly graduated Waikato man has eyes on the sky
People

Navy STEM programme launches Upper Hutt student into medic career
People

Joining the Air Force a family affair for Northland man
People

Wellington sailor continues family naval tradition
People

Canterbury volunteer shows care for Op Protect personnel at Christmas
People

Westport sailor embraces new career as Navy Education Officer
People

Reflecting on being WOAF
People

'Incredible journey' to top Air Force leadership role
People

Zone out with axe throwing
People

Former soldier earns wings in return to military
People

Outstanding leadership by NZ Army Officer in Afghanistan recognised
People

Air Force leadership role brings challenge and opportunity
People
Dedication and innovation praised at Chief of Defence Force Awards
People
Exemplary soldier is NZDF Person of Year
People

Managed isolation stalwart named NZDF Reservist of the Year
People

Cadet of the Year an inspiration to the next generation
People

Sailor of the Year recognised in year of challenges
People

Navy Diver recognised for developing diversity
People
Pandemic management while in US posting earns top safety award
People

Allrounder wins NZDF Civilian of the Year award
People

‘Wellness' supporter named Defence Volunteer of the Year
People

Hard line against bullying earns instructor Soldier of the Year title
People

Defence HUMINT: An Airman’s Story
People

Passion for the job recognised by Airman of the Year award
People

NZDF opens up different world of legal challenges
People

RNZAF’s longest-serving woman signs off after years of progress
People

Operation Monitor: deployed to the Republic of Korea
People

Bonded to heritage
People

Reflections during Matariki
People

Navy Reserves keep Upper Hutt man's love of the sea alive
People

Bay of Plenty woman making the most of her time in the Navy
People

Flying dream achieved with late change in career flight path
People

Cook Islands sailor proud to deliver vaccine support
People

Graduate's father inspires Air Force career
People

Mother the inspiration for Air Force career choice
People

Variety with ‘the team’ attracts former Cricketer to Navy
People

New Plymouth woman swaps hospo for hootchies and hot spots
People

Swapping the Bomb Squad for an RNZAF Squadron
People

Perseverance pays off as Tauranga man achieves RNZAF dream
People

Mother’s inspiration sets Lower Hutt man on Navy medical career
People

Hercules way finder flying in the family footsteps
People

Navy offers aviation career for Palmerston North man
People

Keep it real
People

NZDF medical officer joins Australian response to Fiji Covid surge
People

Defence Force at the heart of historic Women’s Super Rugby match
People

Riverton man embraces opportunity of Army medical career
People

Ōtaki woman embracing change for RNZAF medical career
People

RNZAF Skyhawk history-maker calls time on illustrious career
People

NZ Army promotes first female General List Officer to Brigadier
People

Inspiring Mums
People

The long wait for the Red Diamond
People

Gisborne high flier aims to make a difference in new career
People

Queenstown woman tops RNZAF recruit course
People

Career change for new RNZAF recruit
People

RNZAF offers Nelsonian a second chance at aviation engineering career
People

Taupō Army Cadets eyes the sky after groundwork
People

Invercargill-born Army Band trumpeter returns to roots
People

Chasing goals and being a mum
People

Take your moko as a friend for life
People

Taupō siblings make it four Navy generations
People

Law graduate takes the helm of a navy career
People

Commendation for former Army Sniper
People
