Change of Command for HMNZS TE KAHA

In the first formal tasking for the Navy in 2008, a ceremony to mark the official change of Commanding Officer for the Navy frigate HMNZS TE KAHA will be held at 1030 on Wednesday 16 January, at the Devonport Naval Base.

The Change of Command Ceremony is traditionally formal and impressive – designed to strengthen respect for authority, vital to any military organisation. Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson, will review the ceremony.

During the ceremony, Commander Andy Grant (Picton) will relinquish command of HMNZS TE KAHA and Commander Mat Williams (Levin) will assume command.

Biography - Commander M.C. Williams, MNZM, RNZN

Navy Commander Mat Williams was born and raised in Levin and attended Waiopehu College. He spent a year at St Patricks College in Silverstream before he joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in January 1989 as a Seaman Officer.

After completing initial training in the shore base HMNZS TAMAKI at Devonport, Auckland, he underwent sea training and qualified as a bridge watch-keeping officer in 1992 and navigating officer in 1993.

Over the next four years he served at sea in various RNZN ships and on a four month exchange with the Royal Australian Navy in the guided missile destroyer HMAS BRISBANE.

Commander Williams completed Principal Warfare Officer (PWO) training in Australia in 1998 at HMAS WATSON in Sydney. Specialising in Above Water Warfare he was awarded the Sydney Emden prize for Dux of PWO course and the Saint Barbara Association Prize for the most proficient results in the Gunnery Phase of his chosen specialisation.

On completion of the PWO course Commander Williams served on exchange with the Royal Australian Navy as the Air Warfare Officer (AWO) and Operations Officer (OPSO) of the RAN’s (then) newest ANZAC Class Frigate, HMAS ARUNTA, where he was awarded an RAN Maritime Commander’s Commendation for "… superior conduct of duty and outstanding achievements …"

Returning to New Zealand in April 2001 Commander Williams served as the Maritime Planner at Headquarters, Joint Forces New Zealand; Executive Officer and 2nd in command of HMNZS TE KAHA; and Fleet Warfare Officer, Maritime Operational Evaluation Team.

Commander Williams was promoted to his current rank and appointed as the Director Naval Excellence (DNx), on the staff of the Chief of Navy, 2 December 2005. He was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the 2007 New Year’s Honour list for services to the New Zealand Defence Force.

His academic qualifications include a Graduate Diploma in Applied Science and a Bachelors Degree in Business Studies; he is currently studying towards a Masters Degree in Public Management through Victoria University, Wellington. Commander Mat Williams resides in Auckland with his wife and two daughters.

ENDS