Waikato Navy officer named Defence Force Sailor of the Year for ‘outstanding leadership’

Kristen Kotuhi (Ngāti Raukawa) has been named New Zealand Defence Force Sailor of the Year 2025. Photo / Petty Officer Chris Weissenborn

Waikato Navy officer Kristen Kotuhi (Ngāti Raukawa) has won the 2025 New Zealand Defence Force Sailor of the Year Award.

Royal New Zealand Navy Marine Technician acting petty officer Kotuhi was “pleasantly shocked” when she heard her name called for the award.

Her citation says she always goes “above and beyond” to help others and her conduct and leadership extended “well beyond” her substantive rank.

“She builds an inclusive team that looks after one another and delivers together, and isn’t afraid to take charge under pressure when senior staff are absent,” the citation reads.

“She coached junior rates, set fair tasking, and fostered a culture where people felt supported and standards mattered.

“She organised regular department sports activities, breakfasts, and simple team-building activities kept morale high during demanding periods.

“Her conduct consistently reflects the Navy’s core values: Courage, Commitment, Comradeship and Integrity.

“She translated command intent into safe, reliable outputs that enabled boat, diving operations and Maritime Explosive Ordnance Disposal (MEOD) tasks.

“She isn’t afraid to hold the line on safe systems and standards, instructing only what is right, addressing minor misses openly, and giving command the information needed for better decision making.”

Kotuhi is based in the Navy’s littoral warfare unit, HMNZS Matataua, together with her fiancé, Leading Diver Luke Lambe.

“I’m very lucky in the sense that my fiancé is also in the military, so he understands those challenges.

“He definitely reins me in when I need it, but he is the first to lift me up too.”

Kotuhi grew up in Tokoroa and Kawerau, as the oldest of eight daughters and became interested in joining the military after recruiting drives at school.

“I found out I could play sport, travel the world and make money. It sounded like a win-win. I enlisted as soon as I had finished at Trident High School in Whakatāne.”

Looking at her career so far, she said she has gained a lot over the years.

“Being in the Navy comes with challenges, but the reward and consequences of those challenges have only made me a better person, helped me grow.”