Former Gisborne man Crosby gets top role in navy, whānau very proud

Warrant Officer of the Royal New Zealand Navy Darren Crosby, originally from Tokomaru Bay, is officially promoted to his prestigious new role on Friday.

Tokomaru Bay-born Darren Crosby has been appointed to a new role as the Royal New Zealand Navy’s “top sailor”.

Warrant Officer Communications Warfare Specialist (WOCWS) Crosby (of Ngāti Porou descent) is the new Warrant Officer of the Navy.

His role is to advise the Chief of Navy and to speak for the sailors on “any matters affecting the people, command, leadership and management of the Regular and Reserve Forces”, a New Zealand Defence Force statement said.

Crosby is now regarded as the Navy’s “top sailor”.

Crosby, who joined the Navy on his 19th birthday in 1988 as a radio operator, will be officially promoted on Friday.

His brother Thomas told the Gisborne Herald the family would attend the formal ceremony and pōwhiri at Devonport Naval Base on October 4.

Darren Crosby gained his high school education at Gisborne Boys’ High.

He played cricket for the school’s Second XI, but according to Thomas - a well-known local figure in rugby and cricket circles - “is more of an academic”.

Crosby left the Navy for several years around 2010 and worked in Gisborne as the chief security officer at the courthouse.

He was always going to go back to the Navy, Thomas said.

“He is institutionalised by the Navy. We are all very proud of him.”

Crosby is the 10th Warrant Officer in the role, which is for three years.

“I had wanted to join the Navy since I was at intermediate school after I visited frigate HMNZS Wellington during an open day in Gisborne,” he said.

“After finishing at Gisborne Boys’ High School, I went to the Gisborne recruiting office and started my application.”

His recruiter was Warrant Officer Reece Golding, the father of Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding.

From his first posting on frigate HMNZS Southland, WOCWS Crosby served on frigates HMNZS Te Mana, Te Kaha, Canterbury and Wellington.

He was promoted to Warrant Officer in 2007 and has held Warrant Officer positions as the Devonport Naval Base whole ships co-ordinator, career manager for the operations trades, Warrant Officer leadership development and the Command Warrant Officer to the Deputy Chief of Navy.

Crosby describes his best experiences as two consecutive Multinational Interception Force deployments to the Arabian Gulf, enforcing a United Nations embargo on Iraq in HMNZS Wellington in 1995, then HMNZS Canterbury in 1996. It was the first time the RNZN had operated in the area.

He said he was humbled and proud to take up the role, and by the many messages of congratulations including a former seventh-form classmate who beat him for the Head Boy position.

“I acknowledge the kaitiaki and mahi of our previous WONs – ka pai te ahi. There’s a deep sense of pride and duty in upholding the Navy’s proud traditions.

“The responsibility of advocating and supporting our sailors and their families is really important to me.”

Crosby said it was important to reflect on where the Navy had come from.

“It’s the sacrifices, the successes and the dedication that have brought us to this point.

“Our history is not just a record of the past; it is the foundation upon which we build our future.

“Our Navy has a proud tradition of service, excellence and commitment to Aotearoa.

“But as we look to the future, we must be prepared to evolve, to strengthen and harden, and to lead in new and innovative ways of doing business.”