The Kings High School year 13 students Nick Reid and Ryan Pariachi were part of a group of 20 secondary school-aged boys who for the first time have been allowed to take part in the School to Seas programme at the Devonport Naval Base in Auckland.
Traditionally, the programme has been reserved only for girls in science, technology, engineering and maths, however, this year they decided to admit boys as well to reach a larger audience of potential future sailors.
Activities included a tour of HMNZ ships Te Kaha and Taupo, talking to sailors about life at sea and visiting the engine spaces with technicians.
Nick said he saw himself joining the navy in the future.
‘‘School to Seas has allowed me to see the side of the New Zealand Defence Force the public don’t typically get to see and that’s been huge. It has reinforced to me why navy really is my dream role.’’
His great-grandfather, leading seaman Charles Ormond Dallas Napper, known as ‘‘Dell’’, served aboard training vessel HMS Philomel during World War 2 - New Zealand’s first warship and from where the naval base now takes it name from.
‘‘I love everything to do with the navy.’’
His classmate Ryan said he planned to join the navy as soon as finished at secondary school.
He would be following his cousins, who have already served in the navy.
‘‘I think I’d like to be an engineering officer,’’ he said.
The pair learnt to board ships at Devonport’s Seamanship Training Facility, observed firefighting training and worked out with the physical training instructors.
Royal New Zealand Navy senior project manager Steve Hobbs said from what the School to Seas team observed it was a huge success.
‘‘[They] took every opportunity to engage with the sailors and ask them questions about their trades, their experiences, and other opportunities they have had as members of the Royal New Zealand Navy.’’
— Allied Media
