Niamh Faith has always wanted to join the New Zealand Defence Force and now the seventeen-year-old has been able to experience military life first hand.
Last week, she was one of 40 students from throughout the country to attend the School to Seas Wahine Camp at Devonport Naval Base in Auckland. “I’ve always been interested in a career in Defence and originally I wanted to be a pilot. Then I found out about the Navy so I applied to School to Seas. I haven’t got much experience in maritime industry, but I’ve loved it,” says the Timaru student from Craighead Diocesan School.
The week-long camp aims to get young women interested in Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) based careers, both within the RNZN and the wider marine industry, and break down barriers and stereotypes, particularly misconceptions about life for women in the military and women at sea. “It’s completely changed my perspective and opened up a lot of opportunities and options for me,” she says.
During the camp the participants will be conducting a range of hands-on STEM activities including building an underwater robot, as well as gaining an insight into what life is like on a warship, and getting a taste of the many trades on offer. “I take sciences at school including biology, chemistry, physics and calculus, but they’re all very academic subjects. I’m interested in the way the world works, how we’ve been shaped and the way we are in the world.
The camp has amplified the STEM subjects and all the women who work in stem. It shows me that it’s very achievable for women,” she says. Currently in Year 13, Niamh has big plans after she leaves school at the end of the year. “I plan on working in Taupo as a parachute packer, then attending Camp America and finishing the year working on the ski fields in Japan,” she says.
Come the first intake January 2026, Niamh plans to join the Defence Force in a medic role. “I’m unsure what service I’ll join as yet, but it’s been such an amazing experience. It’s built on my love for the Defence Force and made me want to join as soon as I can,” she says.
The School to Seas Wahine Camp was held from 14-21 April 2024 at Devonport Naval Base, for Year 12 and 13 wāhine, who are studying mathematics and science NCEA Level 2 and 3.