"We've got doctors, nurses, police officers and road workers, all sorts here," Mr Cole said.
The company was trained in basic weapons skills, clearing rooms, rules of engagement and the complexities of a hostage situation.
Mr Cole said it was vital that soldiers trained in an urban environment that involved civilians, nooks and crannies and buildings such as houses.
"Back in World War II, they would charge through big fields but those days are gone. These days we find ourselves in a wide variety of scenarios and the urban environment is definitely one of the most challenging. Overseas - Iraq and Afghanistan - has shown us we need to be highly trained."
Just after 4am yesterday soldiers "rolled out" to McLaren Falls to deal with a hostage situation at a house in the area.
"We had a reconnaissance group keeping eyes on the target. The main body force snuck up and we had a machine gun operating that opened up on the house [with blanks] while the main force came up and got in there and got the hostages. It was a good result.
"I think we scared a few sheep."
Mr Cole said they were grateful for the city's support.
"We can hold these exercises wherever throughout the country but it's hard for us to get appropriate training grounds. We wouldn't do this in the middle of Tauranga itself, that'd only upset Tauranga civilians."
The battalion includes soldiers from Northland and Auckland plus the local Hauraki Company.
Sergeant Dwayne Day used to serve as a regular soldier but now owns a plastering business with family in Mount Maunganui. He now operates as a reserve soldier - formerly known as a territorial.
"It's a commitment for myself and my family but it's quite a rewarding one."
Mr Day was proud to serve his country and said he was passionate about training others.
"It's a commitment to the country. I guess that's why we do it. Passing on that knowledge."
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
The Army Reserve is the part-time component of New Zealand's Army and contributes internationally on operational deployments around the world and nationally to civil defence during natural disasters. The Army Reserve is made up of every-day New Zealanders who do their normal job in the community then conduct military training in their spare time. Living, working and training in their local community the Army Reserve is the public face of New Zealand's Army.
Source - www.defencecareers.mil.nz