Mō te tūranga
About the role
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Specialisations
Logistics & Administration
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Entry type
General entry
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Under training
$68,103
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Location
Devonport
As a Navy Writer, you will provide high quality administrative and payroll support to ships at sea and serving personnel. You will also provide support in office administration functions such as customer service, document management and personnel management procedures.
Your role will principally be undertaken at sea onboard ships where you will also perform non-administrative tasks as part of the ship's company, and ashore in Devonport Naval Base. Most Writers also complete at least one period of peacekeeping overseas. The Writer role will suit you if you want a career in administration that is balanced with getting out of the office and doing other varied and exciting things.
Accepting Applications
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Basic Common Training 25-2, starts 25 Aug 2025 Apply by 12 May 2025
Apply Now
Requirements
Basics
- Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
- 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.
Onboard with Navy Writer (Operational Administrator)
Follow Able Writer Dione Taurua, during a typical day onboard HMNZS Te Mana.
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Job on base
The initial parts of your career will be spent ashore in the Devonport Naval Base, with short duration postings to ships and shore establishments to strengthen your training and gain experience. These can include short term postings to other locations in New Zealand as well overseas experiences with NZDF deployed forces and exchanges with other navies.
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Job on deployment
Whilst at sea your most important role is as a sailor, utilising the core mariner skills you have gained in fire-fighting, damage control and seamanship tasks. You will also be given advanced first aid training to assist the ship’s medical staff in emergencies. In your trade role at sea you will support the efficient operation of the ship by ensuring that the command and personnel receive top-level policy advice and administrative support.
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.
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Under training
$68,103
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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 train in Devonport and Trentham, Wellington as a Navy Writer. Your specialist training will include areas such as NZDF payroll, NZDF policy and entitlements, Human Resource information system training, administration and office procedures, the management and administration of personnel records as well as receipt and dispatch of correspondence. Following this, you will conduct a period of on-job-training, ashore and at sea, to strengthen and consolidate what you have learnt.
You will commence a New Zealand Certificate of Business (Administration and Technology) Level 3, along with various Microsoft Office online courses. You will also be trained how to use SAP HCM during your initial Trade training as this is the primary system that the NZDF operate with.
03Ongoing Training
Ongoing Training
As your career progresses, you will be given further training to develop your leadership, mariner and specialist skills. You will then commence a New Zealand Certificate of Business (Administration and Technology) Level 4 and conduct more SAP HCM courses during your future Trade courses. Further on in your career you’ll be able to conduct the Lean Six Sigma, White Belt course and will have the ability to do the higher belts associated with Lean Six Sigma if desired.
The ability to manage people 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. Navy Writers receive comprehensive training throughout their careers to advance from a basic administrator through to a supervisory role and then to a managerial level.
04Career Progression
Career Progression
Your hard work, diligence and experience as a Navy Writer are rewarded with promotion in rank and salary. Following your initial training and consolidation, you can reasonably expect to be performing as an effective and competent Writer within 12-18 months of joining. This will be supplemented by a posting to sea, and then further training to prepare you for promotion to a supervisory role. Your advancement will be supported by giving you further training in leadership, mariner skills and Writer skills. Successful completion of these will qualify you for a promotion to Leading Rate, whereby you will be responsible for supervising a team of Writers, either at sea or ashore. Vast employment opportunities exist for Writers within the Navy and the Defence Force. Right now there are Writers employed on peacekeeping missions around the world, at sea onboard HMNZ Ships, and in various roles and locations in New Zealand.
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?
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