Navy Commander Bronwyn Heslop, under investigation for three months over concerns raised about her conduct, will return to duties in January, the Defence Force has said.
Stuff revealed in September that Heslop was off work while an investigation was carried out and Commander Martin Walker was in interim command of the HMNZS Canterbury.
A New Zealand Defence Force spokesperson confirmed to Stuff on Thursday that the inquiry had finished, and Heslop had undergone “administrative action” to address concerns raised about her conduct.
She would return from leave to her duties from January 13 and until the next scheduled change of command, which was expected mid-2025.
The spokesperson said in a statement at no point in the process was Heslop removed from command of the Canterbury.
The investigation was carried out by a Maritime Component Commander appointed as an NZDF investigating officer in September, to undertake a “command investigation” into concerns raised about Heslop’s conduct, the spokesperson revealed.
The NZDF would not go into detail about what administrative action had been taken, but it referred to a “broad spectrum of options” used for the management of members of the armed forces.
These options included counselling and guidance, annual performance reporting, management plans, warnings and censures.
“It does not include any disciplinary action taken under the military justice system,” the spokesperson said.
The statement said the NZDF had expressed its gratitude to those who shared information with the investigation and had “encouraged them to do so again should they find themselves in similar situations in their careers”.
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Heslop joined the Navy 35 years ago, working through the ranks. She specialised in hydrography, navigation and meteorology, and in 1998 became the first female officer in charge of a vessel, HMNZS Moa.
The NZDF’s full statement.
In September 2024, the Maritime Component Commander appointed a New Zealand Defence Force Investigating Officer to undertake a command investigation into concerns raised in respect of the conduct of Commander Bronwyn Heslop, RNZN, as commanding officer HMNZS CANTERBURY.
The command investigation has concluded with administrative action taken to address the concerns. Commander Heslop will return from leave to her duties as Commanding Officer HMNZS CANTERBURY from 13 January 2025 and until the next scheduled change of command which is expected mid-2025. At no time was Commander Heslop removed from Command.
Administrative action refers to a broad spectrum of options used within the New Zealand Defence Force for the management of members of the Armed Forces. These options range from counselling and guidance, annual performance reporting, management plans to warnings or censures. It does not include any disciplinary action taken under the military justice system. The type of administrative action taken in this case will not be detailed, to protect the privacy of the individuals.
The New Zealand Defence Force has expressed its gratitude to those that shared information with the investigation and have encouraged them to do so again should they find themselves in similar situations in their careers.
