It’s not often a Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) engineer is told, “you have the ship”, but it’s a role Commander Chris Bone is more than ready to take on.

Commander Bone, who grew up in Gore, recently assumed command of RNZN frigate HMNZS Te Mana, and will lead the ship through an extended maintenance period at Devonport Naval Base to prepare it for future deployments.

It’s relatively familiar ground for Commander Bone, who was the Marine Engineering Officer (MEO) for HMNZS Te Mana between 2020-2023, leading the engineering department through the ship’s regeneration following the Frigate Systems Upgrade in Canada.

HMNZS Te Mana. Photo: NZDF

He was also the Assistant MEO on HMNZS Te Kaha following its Platform System upgrade in 2013-2015.

These experiences have set him up well for this command.

“This posting for me is an opportunity to put the knowledge I’ve gained through being part of two regeneration cycles across both frigates to the best use for the organisation” Commander Bone said.

HMNZS Te Mana is normally crewed by up to 178 sailors that are trained in operating in peacetime environments and conflict. Commander Bone says frigate time and culture definitely make an impression.

“The culture, team environment and camaraderie that comes with a frigate – whether it be within your messdeck, department, mess or across the whole ship – cannot be understated."

“Every ship in our Navy develops this, but on a frigate you live and work together in such close confines, deploy for longer periods, and train for operations where the possibility of damage is that much more real - that team environment is amplified, and the satisfaction and sense of achievement from your time on the ship, as well as the friendships you make, stays with you for life.”

Commander Chris Bone (right) holds his Command Directive, presented by Acting Chief of Navy Commodore Andrew Brown. Photo: NZDF

Commander Bone joined the Navy straight from finishing at St Peter’s College.

He attended the University of Auckland, obtaining a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours), before undertaking the Systems Engineering Management Course (Marine Engineering) at HMS Sultan in the United Kingdom.

Commander Bone has served on HMNZ Ships Te Kaha, Te Mana, Endeavour, and Aotearoa, as well as the Royal Navy’s HMS Illustrious.

Highlights of his career have included the centenary celebrations of Anzac Day aboard HMNZS Te Kaha during the multi-national sailpast of Anzac Cove, sailing up the Thames in London aboard HMS Illustrious, and his time in Canada with HMNZS Te Mana which enabled him to get some great North American skiing in during his downtime from ship.

“I am looking forward to ensuring that the Ship’s Company of Te Mana are able to enjoy their work and workplace, and to take their ship from maintenance in drydock, and through a regeneration cycle, ready to deliver on whatever tasking the government and NZDF leadership put in front of them – and in achieving this I hope that all of the team on the ship can feel the sense of accomplishment that will come with it.”