End of an era for Auckland Naval Reserve Branch

The Auckland based Naval Volunteer Reserve Unit, HMNZS NGAPONA sited at St Mary’s Bay, is about to close its doors and vacate the current location as it moves to premises within the Devonport Naval Base.

To mark this historic occasion, three events are planned for Saturday 8 December 2007 starting with a ceremony to lift the Mauri (lifeforce) at 5:30 am on the premises at St Mary’s Bay, completing with a powhiri on completion at Te Taua Moana Marae, Devonport.

Completing the activities, a formal parade, in front of the Mayor of Auckland, the Honourable John Banks, the Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson and past and present members of the Naval Reserve will commence at the premises at 3 pm. This will be the final parade for the Naval Reserve at this location.

Background of Naval Reserve in Auckland

NGAPONA was first formed in 1925 as the beginnings of the Royal New Zealand Navy Volunteer Reserve in New Zealand. The first parade was held, following recruitment at Endean’s Building, on the wharves at Downtown Auckland.

The first batches of officers were ex-Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve Officers who served in the First World War and had returned to New Zealand. The driving force to the formation of NGAPONA was Major Charles Palmer of the New Zealand Army Motor Service Corp (Hostilities only). He was not, however, the first appointed Commanding Officer, as the Government deemed that it was appropriate to appoint an ex “Royal Navy Officer” - Commander John Middleton. One of the first roles of the new “Division” was to parade through Auckland when the Great White Fleet of the American Navy visited Auckland in 1926.

In 1929, following active politicking by (now) Commander Palmer, the present building for the Division was constructed on a wharf, at the bottom of the cliff at St Mary’s Bay, Ponsonby. It was considered a “state of the Art” complex, based on a current English design for Volunteer Reserve Units.

At the time, St Mary’s Bay was generally a location for ship builders. The way to reach the Division was down a “Jacob’s ladder” which still exists going up the cliff from the back of the Division to the top of London Road. Cutters, whalers and other small vessels used to be tied up to the wharf alongside the Division.
In the years up to the Second World War, the Division was a popular and prestigious organisation, and a highlight of the Auckland social scene.
The original enlistment book from 1925 still exists in HMNZS NGAPONA.

Many personnel who joined from 1925, named in that book, went on to undertake distinguished service in the Second World War in a variety of roles, as varied as North Sea convoys, channel duties, the Mediterranean, and, of course, the Pacific. One, who joined at this time, was “Jack” Hilliard, who served as Executive Officer of PHILOMEL during the Second World War.
During the Second World War, 42 of the Divisions’ numbers were killed in active service and some took notable parts in significant naval actions.

At the conclusion of the Second World War, the Division was not immediately reassembled. It took some concentrated lobbying by Jack Hilliard to get the Division re-established. This occurred in 1946.
The officer corps was personally selected by (now) Commander Hilliard, on the basis that he wanted NGAPONA formed in a manner ready to undertake hostilities at short notice, following the unsettled international scene evolving after the War.
Background of Naval Reserve

The Naval Reserve has a proud place in New Zealand's naval history, its people providing professional loyal service on a part-time basis. The role of the early Naval Reserve was to supplement regular force numbers and to provide coastal defences to ensure the free flow of shipping.

The role has become more complex but still involves supplying personnel for naval vessels as well as providing a key interface between the New Zealand Defence Force and the Maritime Industry.

But there is much more to it ... from Fishery patrols and customs assistance, to assisting civil agencies, to hosting overseas guests, to port based liaison, to peacekeeping missions, to boarding and briefing of merchant vessel Masters, to vessel tracking and maritime operational analysis.

There are Naval Volunteer Reserve Bases in Auckland (Ngapona), Wellington (Olphert), Christchurch (Pegasus), and Dunedin (Toroa).

ENDS