COMMANDING OFFICER, HMNZS NGAPONA
Lieutenant Commander Nigel Heslop, VRD, RNZNVR
Lieutenant Commander N.I. Heslop, VRD, RNZNVR
Born and raised in Auckland, Lieutenant Commander Nigel Heslop joined the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve as an Ordinary Shipping Controller in 1990. He commenced training in what was then known as the Naval Control of Shipping (NCS) Branch before taking up a commission in the rank of Ensign in January 1992.
He was subsequently promoted to the rank of Sub Lieutenant in 1995 and to the rank of Lieutenant in 1998.
During 2012-2013, he was Lead Planner for EX BELL BUOY 13 (BB13), a Maritime Trade Operations (MTO) exercise conducted by the RNZN on behalf of the Pacific and Indian Oceans Shipping Working Group (PACIOSWG). This exercise, the first of its kind to be hosted by the RNZN, saw naval personnel from 10 nations join together to successfully exercise MTO doctrine and skills within a humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) context. Very much a career highlight, his efforts to plan, organize and execute EX BB13 later saw him awarded a Commanding Officer’s Commendation.
Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander in November 2014, he was appointed HMNZS NGAPONA’s Executive Officer in October 2016, an appointment he held until he was appointed Commanding Officer of HMNZS NGAPONA in November 2018.
Lieutenant Commander Heslop has been awarded the Volunteer Reserve Decoration and the New Zealand Defence Service Medal.
A graduate of the University of Auckland (MA(Hons)) and Whitireia Polytechnic (Diploma in Publishing), away from his civilian and naval commitments Lieutenant Commander Heslop enjoys umpiring cricket (his playing days apparently now firmly behind him), reading, and family life with his wife and two sons.
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Previous Commanding Officer
Lieutenant Commander J Burt, VRD, RNZNR
Lieutenant Commander James Burt joined the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNZNVR) in 1997 as an Ordinary Seaman. He was commissioned as a Warfare Officer in 2000, and obtained his Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate in 2003. Lieutenant Commander Burt subsequently obtained his Minor War Vessel Navigating Officer qualification – the only member of the RNZNVR to have done so.
Lieutenant Commander Burt has served in HMNZ Ships Hinau, Wakakura, Kiwi and Hawea. From July 2014 to October 2016, he was the Executive Officer of HMNZS Ngapona.
Lieutenant Commander Burt is a graduate of the Canadian Force College Joint Command and Staff Programme. He has been awarded the Volunteer Reserve Decoration and the New Zealand Defence Service Medal.
In 2017, Lieutenant Commander Burt was transferred to the Royal New Zealand Naval Reserve (RNZNR) due to a restructure of the Naval Reserve forces. He was appointed Commanding Officer of HMNZS Ngapona on 30 June 2017.
Lieutenant Commander Burt grew up in Auckland. He holds LLB(Hons) and BCom degrees. In his civilian career, Lieutenant Commander Burt is a barrister, specialising in commercial and regulatory issues.