Tauranga's Merehine Waiari is confident heading into her first army training in the South Island after being named the top soldier of the intake at Waiouru.
Merehine heads south for training on February 26 to March 6.

Merehine Waiari, 19 was awarded the Warrant Officers Coin at her recent basic training. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

'I'll be with training with other people who have been in the territorial forces for years.”
Merehine finished her seven week basic training for the New Zealand Army territorial forces on January 29 and was awarded the Warrant Officers Coin for top soldier of the intake.
Merehine says over the seven weeks, soldiers are measured on how well they perform physically when doing army drills, how good their leadership is and their ability to work in a team.
'I didn't expect to get the Warrant Officers Coin at all.”
She says unofficially she was told that she was the first female to receive the award.
She says the army is male dominated with only about 20 of the 132 recruit's female.
At 19 she was also one of the youngest recruits as most were in their mid-20's.
Merehine is studying at the moment and wants to finish her law and commerce degree before making the army a full time option.