Lieutenant Commander Matt Kaio of Ngāpuhi joined the Royal New Zealand Navy 20 years, he's now the Officer in Command of the Naval ship, Wellington.
As part of the 75th anniversary of the NZ Navy, Te Kāea was given an insight into the operation of the naval ship Wellington.
Lieutenant Commander Matt Kaio of Ngāpuhi is the commanding officer for Naval ship Wellington.
"I started off as a sailor a marine technician for 8 years, I worked as a sailor before I decided I wanted a little bit more out of my career," he says.
Kaio has been in the Royal New Zealand Navy for 20 years.
"My role is the commanding officer the guy that is responsible for everything for me it is a huge honour. I'm responsible for how this ship operates and the safety of my crew."
As a sailor, Kaio has managed to attain skills and expertise which have helped to further his career. He was also one of the warfare officers involved in a drug bust which seized nearly $300 million worth of heroin in Somalia.
"I was a warfare officer on HMS Te Mana and we were doing a counter piracy patrol," he says.
With his roles and responsibilities, Kaio has been able to pursue his dreams in the Royal New Zealand Navy.