2 July 2019

The Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN) first Tongan Warrant Officer wants to show his community what is possible and is doing that by returning to live in South Auckland, where he grew up.

Warrant Officer Seaman Combat Specialist Mark Latu was promoted to Warrant Officer at Devonport Naval Base, in an impressive celebration of his trade, family and culture, attended by Chief of Navy Rear Admiral David Proctor.

Warrant Officer Seaman Combat Specialist Latu and his family could live on the North Shore, near the Devonport base, and have done so, but he wants to show loyalty to his origins.

“I come from South Auckland, an area that has its challenges,” he said. “We moved back there to influence our community – if people see something different, if their kids see you, they realise there are other possibilities out there.”

Warrant Officer Seaman Combat Specialist Latu, 42, joined the RNZN in 1998 as an Ordinary Seaman Gunner.

“My brother had joined the New Zealand Army but I opted for the Navy. My family were really supportive,” he said.

“I was 20 when I joined. I was in between jobs, and I wanted to see the world. Basic training was great fun. It was all about routine, and I enjoyed that.”

He got to see the world almost immediately, posting to Leander class frigate HMNZS Wellington for a South East Asia deployment.

In 2013 he had an exciting year as Chief Bosun’s Mate on HMNZS Te Mana, deploying to the Horn of Africa as part of a Combined Task Force to counter piracy in the region.

“That was a highlight,” he said. “Our trade is always going to be hands-on – you are the operator with a strong skill set in weapon systems, boat driving and boarding.”

His dedication to duty is reflected in his awards, notably the Meritorious Service Medal, the NZ General Service Medal Afghanistan (Secondary), the General Service Medal (Counter Piracy), the NATO ISAF Medal (Africa), the Long Service Good Conduct Medal and two Commanding Officer Commendations.

The RNZN is now a family affair – he persuaded his brother, Sione, to join him in the trade, and he met his wife, Chief Petty Officer Writer Melissa Latu, at Devonport Naval Base.

“I sold the Navy to Sione,” he said. “Service and duty, loyalty, humility, that’s all Pacific Island. It’s what we’re taught when we’re young. And we’re used to hierarchy – it’s built into the family system.”

Sport has been a big part of Warrant Officer Seaman Combat Specialist Latu’s life and he has been provided plenty of opportunities in the RNZN. He has represented New Zealand in rugby league sevens and was player of the tournament in the Commonwealth Cup international navy rugby tournament in 2006.

He is currently studying for a Bachelor of Applied First Line Management with Otago Polytechnic.

It’s too early to know yet if his three boys will follow in his naval footsteps.

“One wants to be a rugby league superstar, one wants to be Shawn Mendes, and the youngest one is in the terrible twos, so it’s all about him,” he said.

ends

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