The commander of the HMNZS Canterbury, Bronwyn Heslop, is off work while an investigation is conducted.
In a contradictory statement in response to questions from Stuff, the New Zealand Defence Force said Heslop had not been removed from command, but confirmed that there was an “Acting Commanding Officer on an interim basis”.
That person was Commander Martin Walker, who was the Canterbury’s commanding officer before Heslop.
“We can confirm that there is an investigation ongoing and it is therefore not appropriate to comment further,” the statement said.
A navy source told Stuff: “The entire ship's company was left in shock, as they didn't expect it.”
READ MORE
- Naval officer Bronwyn Heslop under investigation, ship has new acting commander
- King Airs keep close eye on fishing
- Defence Force planning restructure to cut costs, as 200 civilian staff opt for voluntary redundancy
- Govt claims documents prove Labour began AUKUS consideration
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.
On taking control of the Canterbury, Heslop told Navy Today magazine in May, 2022, that she had been determined to join the navy as a young person, when women weren’t allowed to join.
She brought a “feminine touch” and 50 years of life experience to the job as well as the “high standards she exhibits personally” the magazine said.
Heslop told Navy Today: “My three pet peeves – leaning on guardrails, hands in pockets, chewing of gum.
“The ship already runs very well, she’s a very happy ship. It’s not about changing anything.
I’m just bringing that old fashioned Navy and standards but delivered with a feminine touch.”
In August this year, Heslop told RNZ the Canterbury was a unique vessel.
“The ship is the coolest in the world because it is Army, Air Force and Navy together,” she said.
In a TVNZ item this month in which she showed a 104-year-old Navy veteran around the ship, the veteran asked about her experiences as a female in the service. She said there had been some tough times, “but things have changed now”.
Heslop commanded the Canterbury during relief efforts for Cyclone Gabrielle, and also was in charge during a trip to the sub-Antarctic islands.
She told Stuff before that trip: “I have trained as a meteorologist and have a passion for everything to do with conservation.”
She could not be reached for comment on Friday evening.
Heslop is one of a growing number of women rising up the ranks in the Navy.
The service current has its highest percentage ever of women, at 27.4%, and the largest number of women taking command of Navy ships and shore units, with four in command of ships and three in command of shore units.
