Commander Martin Walker

Commander Martin Walker was born in England and moved with his family to Napier, New Zealand, in 1982 where he attended Napier Boys High School. He joined the RNZN in 1989 as a Midshipman and undertook common and professional training at the RNZN training establishment, before posting to sea at the beginning of 1990. From February 1990 until December 1995 he served in a number of RNZN Ships, first completing his training at sea and then undertaking various roles including Bridge Watch Keeping Officer, helicopter aircraft controller, Signals and Communications Officer and Navigating Officer. At the beginning of 1996 Martin was posted to Naval Staff where he undertook the duties of Deputy Director Naval Coordination until May 1997, when he took six months leave without pay to travel. On his return to the RNZN in October 1997 Martin worked in the operations planning staff for the Maritime Commander New Zealand. In March 1998 he was posted as Executive Officer HMNZS MANAWANUI, which was working in support of the New Zealand Defence Force Truce Monitoring Group in Bougainville. In late 2000 Martin was posted to the RNZN Officer Training School as Directing Staff through until October 2002, which was a very satisfying and rewarding role. From October 2002 until March 2003 he assumed Command of HMNZS KAHU, an inshore patrol boat, a highlight of which was support to the America’s Cup sailing regatta in Auckland. In March 2003 Martin undertook training in Australia to become a communications and information warfare specialist. On completion of this training he was posted to Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand (HQ JFNZ) as a communications planner. Martin then posted to HMNZS ENDEAVOUR as the Executive Officer from December 2005 until April 2007 and, on completion of this appointment, he attended the NZDF Staff Course, graduating in December of the same year. In 2008 Martin was posted back to HQ JFNZ in the Joint Operations Planning Branch, responsible for planning maritime and joint operations. In June 2009 Martin was posted to Naval Staff as the Director of Naval Information Systems and promoted to Commander. In October 2010 he assumed the role of Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Working Group Lead in the newly formed NZDF Capability Branch. In April 2011 he returned to HQ JFNZ to undertake the role of Inspector General, followed by a posting as the Executive Officer to the Maritime Component Commander New Zealand. From December 2016 to February 2019 he was posted as the Capability Integration Lead in the Diving and Hydrographic Vessel project (HMNZS MANAWANUI replacement vessel). A highlight of Martin’s career to date was his appointment as the Commanding Officer of HMNZS CANTERBURY, from May 2019 to April 2022, which saw a dynamic and challenging programme for the Ship during the global COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2022 he took up his current role as the Director Geospatial Intelligence NZ. Martin is a graduate of the NZDF Command and Staff College and he has a Master's Degree in Strategic Studies from Victoria University. Martin lives near Carterton in rural NZ with his wife Susie. His hobbies include squash, hiking and being a weekend farme