Students Deploy To Waiouru

Tai Dunlop-Sipa (Onehunga High Sch Academy)

New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa

Media Advisory
05 Aug 2009

STUDENTS DEPLOY TO WAIOURU

Eighty Five Secondary School students have deployed to Waiouru Army Camp this week to conduct military based training.

The students are taking part in a two week induction course which is part of a six month Service Academies programme run from schools throughout New Zealand.

The Waiouru course is part of the Service Academy program which will be expanded under the recent Government Youth Opportunities announcement. This will see extra funding and programmes for year 12 and 13 students.

"I am finding this course extremely challenging both physically and mentally,” says Miss Teata Isaia from James Cook High School Academy in Auckland.

“It has me pushed me to my limits to see if I have what it takes to join the New Zealand Defence Force.”

The six month course target kids who think a career in the Military, Police, Customs or Fire Services may be for them. Courses provide students with military values based training which promotes commitment, courage, comradeship and integrity.

Matiria Pohatu (Genfield College Academy)

"This is the first time we have held Academy training in Waiouru," says Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Robert Tait.

"We usually take Auckland academies to Whangaparoa camp or Motutapu Island for their induction course. Waiouru has proved to be a good training facility with everything in one place. It's an ideal location."

Training during the week will include military drill competitions, team building exercises, physical training and military confidence course competitions.

Students attending the Waiouru course are from four Auckland colleges (Glenfield, Kelston Boys, Onehunga, James Cook High School) and Horowhenua College.

ENDS

Note:

Students are selected to join service academies through their Secondary Schools and are assessed on a wide range of relevant subjects including level one NCEA Maths and English.

There are two types of academy – a six month recruitment model which targets Year 12 and 13 students in schools who may want to pursue a career in the military.

The other option – Youth Life Skills, targets 14 – 17 year olds who are at risk of leaving school and aims to get them back into mainstream education, tertiary education or appropriate employment. This is a one year course.

The Youth Opportunities announcement will see additional funding for two years for unskilled 16 to 24 year olds. This group makes up about one third of all people on the Unemployment Benefit.

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