Mō te tūranga
About the role
-
Specialisations
Hospitality
-
Entry type
General entry
-
Under training
$68,103
-
Location
Devonport
Navy Stewards Primary role operates in Officers’ Messes at sea and ashore and can expect to provide a range of hospitality services from junior officers in the Navy to Heads of State and members of the Royal Family – for as few as 10 or as many as 500. Your role is varied and includes but is not limited to, providing table service to up to three meals a day, bartending; setting up and serving at official functions including cocktail parties, formal dinners, buffets, and morning and afternoon teas; and providing VIP support to high profile international and diplomatic functions either in NZ or overseas.
You will start your career with initial and professional training before gaining experience through practical, supervised on-the-job training while working at the Navy base’s Officers Mess. Postings ashore and at sea will follow and there are opportunities for you to sit external, industry recognised NZQA qualifications. Further training will assist with your professional development and progression in the Navy and wider Defence force.
Accepting Applications
-
Basic Common Training 25-2, starts 25 Aug 2025 Apply by 12 May 2025
Apply Now
Requirements
Basics
- Be a minimum of 18 years of age upon entry.
- Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.
Education
3 years secondary school. Note, qualifications may be used to assess trade suitability.
Fitness & Medical
- You must be medically fit for service.
- You must meet the minimum entry fitness standards.
Citizenship
There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the CV security clearance required for this trade. You must be free of any criminal convictions for the previous two years.
We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.
“If you are involved in Kapa Haka we have our own Marae. You can help keep up traditions in the Defence Force which is really good.”
Katene-Rei
Benefits & allowances
Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.
In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:
- Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
- Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
- Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
- Opportunities to travel
- Free and subsidised medical and dental care
- Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
- Free and subsidised insurance cover
- Help to buy a home and save for retirement
Salary & benefits
Careers in the Navy are well-rewarded, as well as being diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, you will see your salary rise accordingly.
-
Under training
$68,103
-
Future potential earnings
$98,000
Career progression and training
01Basic Training
Basic Training
Upon successful enlistment into the Navy you will be posted to Devonport, Auckland. Here you will do 16 weeks of basic military training to find out if you have what it takes to be in the Navy, and learn various subjects including:
- Teamwork and support
- Naval history and customs
- Drill and parades
- Core mariner skills and weapons training
- First aid and firefighting
- Physical fitness
- Self-discipline
02Job Training
Job Training
You will start your Naval Training at the Devonport Naval Base with basic and specialist training. Your specialist steward training will be undertaken at the Defence Catering School (NZ) where you will learn and develop skills in modern and relevant food and Beverage service skills.
Following this initial training phase, you will complete on job training (OJT) and consolidate in the Wardroom (Officers’ Mess) in the Devonport Naval Base. As you gain more experience, you will post to sea for up to 18 months to become part of a small team on-board a ship that providing stewarding support to the Ship’s Officers and ships formal events.
As your career progresses, you will undertake further training to develop your generic leadership skills and specialist skills. The ability to manage staff and personnel effectively and efficiently is a key part of your development. This training will provide you with additional skills and expertise to assist with your career progression.
03Ongoing Training
Ongoing Training
Stewards receive comprehensive Navy training throughout their careers at a basic, supervisory and managerial level. As part of their training they will receive a New Zealand Certificate in Food and Beverage in Level 3 and Level 4, Barista Certificate of Achievement, and Licence Controllers Qualification.
These qualifications encompass training in the following areas:
- Service of meals and table settings
- Serving of non and alcoholic beverages
- Food preparation and presentation
- Safe food handling
- Personal hygiene
- Customer Service
- Kitchen safety
- Basic food preparation
- Basic food presentation and garnishing
- Demonstrate knowledge of viticulture, wine making, and sale and suppy of alcohol act.
In addition to Steward training, Stewards are also trained in Advanced Casualty Care. Stewards are part of Ships Medical Emergency Team and respond to medical incidences whether during a training exercise or for real.
04Career Progression
Career Progression
Your hard work, experience, and training accomplishments as a Steward are rewarded by promotions in rank and salary. Following your initial training and consolidation, you can reasonably be expected to have attained a basic level of competence within 18 months of joining. This will be supplemented by a sea posting and then further training to prepare you for promotion to a supervisory role.
Advanced training will involve both generic leadership skills and development as a steward. Successful completion of these will qualify you for a promotion to Leading Hand whereby you will be responsible for supervising a team of stewards, either at sea or ashore.
Be Prepared
Am I fit enough?
If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.
Medical & Fitness
The application process
Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.
Application process
Ready to start your Navy career?
APPLY NOWTūranga whaipānga
Related Roles
Navy
- Active Intakes
Hospitality
General entry
Chefs are responsible for the whole range of Navy’s catering requirements. As a Chef you could be cooking three to four meals a day for hungry ships’ companies or catering for official functions.
Navy
Education & Support roles
General entry
Join New Zealand’s most versatile military musical organisation. Travel and work with this unique group of musicians throughout New Zealand and the world. The Royal New Zealand Navy band (RNZN band) is highly respected both within the Navy and musical circles. It includes some of the country’s finest musicians whose professional capability and versatility combine to deliver a wide range of ensembles to perform at a varied range of ceremonies and events.