Meet NZ Navy’s top sailor of the year

Joe Mataele was a shy young Tongan man when he joined the navy - 10 years on, he has been named the Royal New Zealand Navy's (RNZN) 2024 Sailor of the Year.

“At first I was pretty shy,” he told PMN Tonga host John Pulu. “I was like, what am I doing in this space, I don’t belong in this space.”

But after a decade of naval service, he credits his success to those who have supported him on his journey, his family and friends, the leadership development group, the Pasifika community within the navy and God.

Mataele, a Leading Marine Technician (LMT), said he was lost for words when he found out he’d been recognised as the top sailor.

“Pretty much speechless, (I’m) just following the footsteps of those who have gone before, there were three other previous Tongans, also someone from Samoa, who won the sailor of the year award.”

According to Matangi Tonga Online, Mataele is the son of the late Joe Tu'ilatai Mataele and Aiona Saluni Mataele and has family ties to Fo'ui and Kolomotu'a, Tongatapu; Leimatu'a, Vava'u; and Koulo, Ha'apai.

The younger Joe was born in New Zealand but was taken back to grow up in Tonga. After high school, his ambition was to join the army.

Watch Joe Mataele's full interview below.

“But there was a security clearance issue, you had to stay in the country (NZ) for five years continuous, even if you were a citizen, and I didn't meet that threshold.

“So I studied for a bit and then applied again. I tried to join the army again, however, broke my fibula, and I was in a cast for three months.

“And then the navy came calling and I said yes, joined as a marine technician, engineering is my passion ... and 10 years later, here we are,” he said.

In a statement, the RNZN said Joe is a highly respected engineer known for his motivation, problem-solving abilities, and steadfast commitment to safety and continuous professional growth.

As a Basic Common Training instructor, RNZN said Mataele is an inspiring leader who lays a strong foundation in discipline, accountability, and teamwork, ensuring our recruits are prepared to meet the demands of naval service with confidence and resilience.

When asked what drives him, he told Pulu that in his current posting, it's the recruits he trains.

The Royal New Zealand Navy has just over 2000 active personnel, 775 reserves, and eight commissioned ships. Photo/RNZN

“There's a different reward when you see them pass out at the end,” Mataele said.

In naval terms ‘passing out’ means graduating or completing basic training. The Passing Out Parade is a ceremony which typically accompanies this milestone.

‘You've been training these young civilians, certain age groups from 17 to 40 years.

“They come in not knowing what to do. You teach them … you try and mould them. Basically, you're their doctor, their parent, their psychologist.

“Then at the end, when they go walk up to receive the certificates and they pass out, it's a different reward, a different feeling that you feel for these people.

“They think that we're doing it for them, but really, there's another feeling that you're also doing it for yourself as well,” he said.