When not at sea most personnel do the same job as they would on board but being ashore also provides time for recreation with friends and family as well as career development and additional training.

Accommodation
All new recruits stay on base until initial training has been completed. During this time you can familiarise yourself with the base and facilities, spend time with co-recruits and get use to Navy life.

When training has finished you will either be posted to sea, where all accommodation and meals are provided, or posted ashore where there is a range of inexpensive Navy accommodation options; alternatively you can arrange your own private accommodation.

Facilities
The Devonport Navy base provides facilities which are available to all personnel and often friends and family.  There are various sports and recreational facilities; as well as spiritual and cultural facilities on base.  Also, as Auckland is such a diverse city, there are considerable opportunities to get involved in the community and take part in activities off base.

The Navy Hospital is located within the base, as is the Dental Centre. All uniformed personnel have free access to these services.  Most basic health care requirements are covered.

Spiritual and cultural needs are catered for by the Chapel and Te Taua Moana Marae.  The Chaplains provide spiritual support for all Officers, Sailors and their families, and are happy to answer questions at any time.

The Marae is used for numerous activities including whanaungatanga (the embrace of our extended family) matauranga (education) tangihanga (mourning ceremonies) and kapa haka (performing arts). It is a non-conflicting environment where all are equal.

Facilities for the more quiet and relaxing moments can also be found in our base library.  This is a place where you can study or use for recreational reading.  The library is basically a mini public library with all the facilities that you would expect to find. The book stock is continuously updated and the library has subscriptions to a number of professional journals.

The Navy understands that everyone is unique, and places considerable emphasis on developing personal interests. There are so many opportunities in the Navy for developing new skills, giving back to the community and personal growth.

Find out more about how to join the Navy now > Full time enlistment.