Midshipman Ethan Thomas-Tuiāvi’i can thank his family for pushing him into a career with the Royal New Zealand Navy and he is now also chasing the achievements of his great-grandfather as a naval aviator.
11 March, 2025
Midshipman Thomas-Tuiāvi’i, from Porirua, was among 11 officers and 68 sailors who recently graduated at Devonport Naval Base after completing their 22-week junior officer and basic common training.
As a warfare officer, the 19-year-old is now logging sea time aboard HMNZS Canterbury, including a mission to New Zealand’s Sub-Antarctic Islands. He will then move into Officer of the Watch training ashore and aboard inshore patrol vessel HMNZS Taupo.
After finishing Aotea College, Midshipman Thomas- Tuiāvi’i attended university for a year. His uncle, who worked as a civilian in the Navy, inspired him to join.
“Growing up in a household which reinforced my Samoan heritage and values allowed me to express myself as a social, hard-working and caring being, which are some of the traits my uncle recognised as being perfect for serving.”
“I also envied the endless opportunities that come with the Navy in terms of serving and travelling.”
He kept his family and friends in mind during the tougher parts of officer training.
“There is nothing I wouldn’t do to make them proud of what I am able to accomplish, particularly my mother, nieces and nephews.
“All my motivation came from me wanting to be the best son I could be, but also the best mentor for my nieces and nephews as they grow up and being a proper and respectable role model for them.”
He also has a cousin and grandfather who served in the New Zealand Army, and he understands his great-grandfather was an aviator in the Navy. It’s inspired him to pursue an aviation career one day.
“I don’t know too much about my great-grandfather. I’ve only heard stories from my grandfather about how brave of a man he was.
“But I’ve always been interested in aviation. Becoming a Navy pilot is my ultimate goal and something I would take great pride in carrying out on a day-to-day basis.”
His first advice to Year 13s at his old school was to make sure they completed the year.
“And contact as many New Zealand Defence Force personnel as you can.
“Talk to them, hear their stories and experiences. Do plenty of research and see what floats your boat.
“Don’t rush it. It takes time to gain an understanding of what it is the Navy has to offer in terms of career pathways, training, qualifications as well as some of the benefits such as tertiary studies.”
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