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Warfare Officers can either choose to join with a specialisation in Mine Clearance Diving or Hydrography. In addition, once you are a qualified Warfare Officer, and have consolidated your qualification at sea, you may choose a sub-specialisation to pursue. These options include: Mine Clearance Diving Officer (MCDO), Hydrographic Survey Officer, and Principal Warfare Officer (PWO), Pilot, or Airborne Tactical Officer.

Specialist Training

Warfare Officers can either choose to join with a specialisation in Mine Clearance Diving or Hydrography. In addition, once you are a qualified Warfare Officer, and have consolidated your qualification at sea, you may choose a sub-specialisation to pursue. These options include: Mine Clearance Diving Officer (MCDO), Hydrographic Survey Officer, and Principal Warfare Officer (PWO), Pilot, or Airborne Tactical Officer.

Mine Clearance Diving Officer (MCDO)

Mine Clearance Diving Officers are the Navy's experts in Clearance Diving, Mine Counter Measures, Under Water Engineering, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Improvised Explosive Device Disposal. As a MCDO, you will complete your Warfare Officer training, and then specialise in Diving, completing the Defence Diver course, Diving Supervisors course and specialist Clearance Diving and Mine Warfare courses in Australia or the UK. On successful completion of courses and consolidation in trade, you will be awarded the MCDO Badge.

As a MCDO, you will primarily work as part of HMNZS MATATAUA in one of the clearance diving teams, as well as at sea on our Diving Support vessel HMNZS MANAWANUI.



Your career will be focused on the work the Operational Dive Team do and working as a part of them in a range of environments.

The role of an MCDO is demanding physically and mentally. It is not for the faint hearted. An MCDO needs to be fit and be able to work in extremely difficult and testing conditions.

Hydrographic Survey Officer

Naval Hydrographers are responsible for generating and maintaining charts to ensure the safe passage of all ships. Hydrographers are also involved in surveying areas for beach landings as a part of the Advanced Force Operations team. In addition to general Officer of the Watch duties, Hydrographic Survey Officers complete survey management and data processing, including ship handling, use of specialised sounding equipment, and processing data at sea and ashore. Find out more about this specialisation here.

Principal Warefare Officer (PWO)

A PWO is required to have full knowledge of all weapon systems and sensors to ensure the ship is able to respond to any changing scenario. A PWO is also required to maintain up to date knowledge and the latest war fighting tactics so as to effectively defend the ship against attack.

When working ashore, PWOs often find themselves in positions conducting planning, providing training, or improving processes and procedures. These roles vary in location but are usually conducted in Devonport or Wellington. Occasionally this role will allow opportunities to travel overseas including to the; UK, Australia, Middle East, United States, Canada, and more.

Warfare Officers holding the rank of Lieutenant for a minimum of two years and holding a Bridge Watch Keeping Certificate (Advanced or Warfare) are eligible to be selected for PWO training. RNZN officers spend 13 months in the UK completing the PWO course.

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📌 Warfare Officer (City of Devonport)
🏢 New Zealand Defence Force
📍 City of Devonport