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Wednesday, 19 August 2020

The Debacle that is The Royal New Zealand Volunteer Reserve

Several years ago (2007) I became aware the VR had lost their IPC's after 23 years service. I had wondered how the Volunteer Reserve (from  here as VR) had fared with manning. I recently talked to a very senior Volunteer Reserve person and he filled me in on the status of the VR divisions and manning vessels (IPV/OPV) and lack of a vessel to train on and crew.

A little history. In 1925 the VR was formed in the four main centres.  Their input into the Second World War was huge and exemplary. Between 1945 and the early 1960's they had a few vessels but nothing suitable and were gifted Harbour Defense Motor Launches (HDML)in early 1960's., Each division had one each with Ngapona having two and tasked to do Fisheries Protection and other VR related tasking or training.  These vessels were retired from service in 1984 and replaced with the Moa Class Patrol Craft, one each for Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.  One of the saving graces for these VR vessels (with no Fisheries Patrols) was the MCM tasking. This started in 1993 and conducted up until decommissioning.  THe VR as usual were well trained and very competent. And keen.

I am aware a number of IPV's are redundant.  Give the VR a fillip - activate just one for VR tasking,  The crew is about 30 pax and all four divisions will crew.  My plan is to berth an IPV in Wellington (central for air travel from all divisions) and a few hours away from the calm waters of Marlborough Sounds.  Three times a year vessels attend the other three division's Home Ports. 

Morale in the VR is very low and they have been losing many staff and recruiting is practically null and void  (no romance in boatless realm). And we have to remember if a conflict occurs and the VR are required to enhance active service, under the current organisation they can not.

Without a doubt the VR is avery proud organisation and deserves to be treated accordingly

My name is Thane "Zaps" Zander
I worked alongside the VR for over 9 years

Served In the RNZN  1975-2002
Retired as a Chief Petty Officer

3 comments:

  1. Thanks for this I found it very interesting

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  2. Zaps I never knew this was the state of the VR, how sad it is that successive Governments had sadly neglected this very necessary recruitment source,of highly trained ready to go (that was then) till now our peeps in high places haven't pushed hard enough to maintain a sufficient force in each main port ,but let it come down too 1,save money by having them meet up at one place for all their ship training and proficiency ,"go away that's it" syndrome pathetic I say,heads should be lowered in shame they have let this go the way of the Defense Armed forces till we don't have one that can defend New Zealand properly ,like the comment by John "very interesting"

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