For Able Steward Dani Kurei, her main motivation for joining the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) was the opportunity to travel and see the world.

Although she did have some reservations about leaving her beloved hometown of Ōpōtiki.

“I loved growing up in Ōpōtiki,” she says.

“It’s a relaxed and friendly town where everyone knows each other, so a part of me was a bit reluctant to leave that behind.”

Her current posting has been made easier in this regard by not only having some fellow Ōpōtiki-born sailors on board HMNZS Aotearoa, but her ex-classmate from Ōpōtiki Primary School, Leading Seamanship Combat Specialist (LCSC) Tremayne Waenga. 

“He joined before me but I actually didn’t know that until I started training and saw him marching across the base in uniform.”

Able Steward Kurei (right) receiving her trophy for finishing second at the bench press competition during the harbour phase of Exercise RIMPAC.

The pair remember playing rugby together at school, something they both recently rekindled during the harbour phase of Exercise RIMPAC in Hawaii – the world’s largest maritime exercise.

LSCS Waenga slotted into the midfield for a friendly rugby match between the Ship and Hawaii Harlequins (a local club side) while ASTD Kurei took part in the women’s touch rugby competition. 

Leading Seamanship Combat Specialist Waenga (far left) playing rugby for the HMNZS Aotearoa rugby team against a local Hawaiian club side.

ASTD Kurei also finished second in the bench press competition, narrowly losing to the American favourite.

“I enjoyed getting to compete against different countries and get the chance to meet a variety of people,” she says.

“I think it was an important part of the exercise because we made friends with foreign sailors who we then linked up with later on in the exercise. Having already formed those relationships really helped when we ended up working together.”

In case a Ship’s company isn’t enough of a family-feel, ASTD Kurei also had whānau on board through Petty Officer Communications Warfare Specialist Trilesse Black, who was also a leading influence in her wanting to join the Navy in the first place. 

Petty Officer Communications Warfare Specialist Black (front row, second from the left) performs with the ship’s Multi-Cultural Group.

“Dani is one of the hardest workers I know,” POCWS Black says.

“I was so happy when I heard she was joining as I knew she would be a good asset to the organisation.”

In case a three-strong Ōpōtiki contingent isn’t enough there's a fourth member of the team, making sure they have a real taste of home while abroad.

Galley Manager, Leading Chef Nicole Mio Mihaere leads the team in the kitchen in charge of producing three hot meals a day for all 108 crew on board.

“It can be a busy job! I think a big difference to working in a restaurant ashore is that I sometimes lose workers to launch boats, help with helicopter operations or complete seamanship tasks during meal times,” Leading Chef Mihaere says.

“Also, because I live in close confines with my customers, I have to put up a good feed or I will hear some banter when I see people around the ship.”

Leading Chef Mio Mihaere busy preparing food in the Ship’s galley.

Beyond the opportunity to experience everything RIMPAC has to offer in terms of the training opportunities, AS Kurei says the chance to network with sailors from so many nations is a particular highlight, as well as trading badges, souvenirs and military coins.

Exercise RIMPAC finished last week with HMZNS Aotearoa now headed to Japan as part of a multi-national force to help detect and deter actions that directly contravene United Nations Security Council sanctions on North Korea.

The latest important mission for the Ōpōtiki quartet.