A Hamilton sailor is excited to return home in time for Christmas after a lengthy overseas deployment with the Royal New Zealand Navy.
Leading Logistics Supply Specialist Amra-Maree Simek, 25, arrived back at Auckland’s Devonport Naval Base on board maritime replenishment vessel HMNZS Aotearoa last week.
It marked the conclusionof a demanding operational year for the ship and its 80-strong crew, who have been deployed since late March.
HMNZS Aotearoa spent 307 days away from home and sailed more than 31,000 nautical miles as it conducted exercises and operations from Antarctica to the Korean Peninsula and throughout the wider Indo-Pacific region.
As the fleet tanker, HMNZS Aotearoa played a critical support role throughout the year, from resupplying Scott Base and McMurdo Station to refuelling partner nations’ ships.
As part of the three-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region, HMNZS Aotearoa also completed defence engagements and exercises with key countries and partners, including port visits to Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam.
The vessel also carried out enforcement of United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea, undertaking surveillance and deterrence activities in the international waters of the East China and Yellow Seas during November.
Simek, a Sacred Heart Girls’ College alumna, joined the Navy in 2020, inspired by cousins and an uncle who were also serving.
“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study in university,” Simek said.
“My family members were having some really cool experiences that I thought I could get as well, and I wanted a chance to see the world while doing my job.
“A sailor came to my careers class at Sacred Heart Girls’ College and she shared her experiences – getting paid to travel, free medical and dental and lots of cool opportunities.”
HMNZS Aotearoa is the third ship she has served on, starting her posting in October last year.
Simek said the best part of being on deployment was being part of operations HMNZS Aotearoa undertakes for New Zealand.
The HMNZS Aotearoa crew are welcomed home after an eight-month deployment. Photo / Petty Officer Chris Weissenborn
“Being away from home and family is always the biggest challenge, as well as keeping to a good diet – especially when our chefs make some yummy ‘duff’ [dessert].”
During her Navy career, Simek has enjoyed a range of experiences that include performing on the drums with Six60 at a concert at Mt Eden Stadium, being part of Māori Culture Group performances in more than 15 countries, riding in a Navy helicopter over the Great Barrier Reef and seeing penguins and seals in Antarctica.
“I’ve ticked off a lot of career goals in my short time in the service,” she said.
“I still want to do the world’s largest maritime exercise, Exercise Rimpac, in Hawaii.
“I’m working to get promoted to my next rank and taking charge of my own team.
“I’ve got a lot of other smaller goals but there are too many to list – the opportunities in Navy are endless and there’s always something to work towards.”
Outside the Navy, Simek is a keen waka ama/va’a (outrigger canoe) competitor.
She received funding assistance from the Navy to attend the IVF Va’a World Sprint Championships last year.
Simek said her advice to anyone thinking about joining the Navy was to go for it.
“On top of your own trade skills and knowledge, you also get some other cool qualifications and experiences.
“You make a lot of new friends and family and create bonds with people that will last a long time.”
