A Royal New Zealand Navy sailor who works to instil the ‘why’ in young recruits has been named the New Zealand Defence Force’s Person of the Year. This is a second honour for Leading Marine Technician (Electrical) Joe Mataele, from Tonga, who is also the Royal New Zealand Navy’s Sailor of the Year.
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Results for Royal New Zealand Navy
Monday 16 December 2024
Wellington, New Zealand
Thursday 24 October 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A combat specialist for the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) – Filipe Sione Malakai Latu of Manukau – was last week awarded recognition as Sailor of the Year. He's the first Pacific Islander and Tongan to be recognized as Sailor of the year by RNZN.

Tuesday 2 July 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The New Zealand Navy's first Tongan Warrant Officer, Seaman Combat Specialist Mark Latu (42) is part of the New Zealand contingent for King Tupou VI's 60th birthday celebrations this week.
