Kiwi commended during Australian frigate exchange Royal New Zealand Navy officer Sub Lieutenant Nate Stainton, serving in Australian frigate HMAS Ballarat, has received a Commanding Officer’s commendation for his commitment and work ethic.

 

01 October, 2025

Sub Lieutenant Stainton is an Assistant Weapons Electrical Engineering Officer in Ballarat as the ship conducts a three-month regional presence deployment.

This is SLT Stainton’s second deployment with the Royal Australian Navy and will bring his two-year exchange to an end.

This month he received a Commanding Officer’s commendation, praising his professionalism and work ethic.

Nate joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in 2020 during the 2nd year of his degree in mechatronics at University of Canterbury in Christchurch.

After graduating, SLT Stainton completed a six-month posting to HMAS Cerberus to complete his Weapons Electrical Engineering Officer Application Course.

Following his time at Cerberus, SLT Stainton posted to Ballarat in Western Australia on a two-year Royal Australian Navy exchange. Ballarat is an Anzac-class frigate, the same class as Royal New Zealand Navy frigates HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Te Mana.

“After training, me and five mates packed up and drove across the Nullarbor which was an amazing experience and something I never thought I would do,” SLT Stainton said.

“I wasn’t really sure what to expect because this was my first sea posting but Ballarat has great people that have been extremely welcoming and made me feel like any other member of the crew.”

Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft conduct a low pass over HMAS Ballarat while sailing off the coast of Malaysia during Exercise Bersama Lima 25.

Ballarat was on the hardstand undergoing maintenance and upgrades when SLT Stainton posted in.

This enabled SLT Stainton to focus on integrating with the crew and learning the ship, achieving his officer of the day qualification soon after joining.

Once back at sea, SLT Stainton was able to focus on consolidating his training as a Weapons Electrical Engineering Officer.

“The job of the Weapons Electrical department at sea is to maintain the ships weapons, communication systems, radars, sonars and lasers,” SLT Stainton said.

At one point SLT Stainton led the Weapons Electrical Engineering Department during the absence of the Head and Deputy head of department.

His commendation details his exceptional dedication and selfless commitment to Ballarat’s capability.

“Your approachable demeanour, combined with an unwavering work ethic, has made you a respected member of HMAS Ballarat,” said Commander Dean Uren, Commanding Officer.

SLT Stainton spoke highly of the opportunity to serve in an Australian warship.

“Having the opportunity to work alongside New Zealand’s ally and neighbour has been a really rewarding experience,” SLT Stainton said.

“Taking the ship from the hardstand, through major weapon systems upgrades, an operational deployment and now a regional presence deployment is really special.”

Regional presence deployments are Australia’s contribution to maintaining collective security in the Indo-Pacific, in collaboration with partner nations.

This deployment will mark the end of a memorable two years for SLT Stainton.

“I’ve learned a lot and gained a lot of experience during my time in Australia but it really is the people that make it,” SLT Stainton said.

“I’ve met some amazing people on this journey; friendships I’ll definitely have for life.”

SLT Stainton is studying to attain his Weapons Electrical Certificate of Competency which he hopes to achieve prior to returning to New Zealand in December.