Unit Officers
Lieutenant Commander W. David Dryden, NZCF
Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander (Lt Cdr) W. David Dryden commissioned as an officer in the NZCF in March 1994 to the rank of Sub Lieutenant, and was posted to Training Ship (TS) Leander. Prior to commissioning he was naval writer, earning the rank of Chief Petty Officer in the Royal New Zealand Navy. In March 2000 Lt Cdr Dryden was posted to TS Bellona as the Cadet Unit Commander (CUCDR). While the CUCDR of TS Bellona, he was the temporary CUCDR of No. 5 (Rodney District) Squadron for several months. Following his stint at TS Bellona Lt Cdr Dryden was once again reposted to TS Leander as the CUCDR in August 2016, Lt Cdr Dryden is in charge of the Unit. As the Unit Commander he has overall responsibility for the Unit. |
Sub Lieutenant Tymon Porter, NZCF
Executive Officer Sub Lieutenant (SLt) Tymon Porter joined TS Leander in November 2011. Since joining as a New Entry, he has risen through the ranks and attended a number of courses as a cadet. SLt Porter was appointed the Unit Coxswain in September 2016. After commissioning as an NZCF officer in November 2019, SLt Porter was appointed as Executive Officer in February 2020. SLt Porter is currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Auckland. |
Ensign Mateo Porter
Training Officer Acting Ensign (Ens) Mateo Porter joined TS Leander in July 2014. Ens Porter successfully passed all courses he has attended including Junior NCO Course in 2016, Senior NCO Course and Cadet Coxswains Course in 2017. Ens Porter was appointed as the Divisional Senior Rate for Algiers Division in October 2017 and on completion of the NZCF commissioning course was promoted to the rank of Acting Ensign in December 2022. Ens Porter is currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Design at the University of Auckland. |
Sub Lieutenant Brittany Abels-Laughton, NZCF
Supply Officer Sub Lieutenant (SLt) Brittany Abels-Laughton joined Sea Cadets in the Wellington unit of TS Amokura. Since joining, she commissioned as an officer in November 2016. After two short months, she was appointed the Executive Officer of TS Amokura until she moved to Auckland and joined TS Leander in September 2022. |
Lieutenant Commander Grant Edie, NZCF
Boats Officer Lieutenant Commander (Lt Cdr) Grant Edie joined as the Dunedin sea cadet of Training Ship (TS) Waireka. After rising through cadet ranks, he commissioned as an NZCF officer in April 1982 and was posted to TS Waireka. Whilst an officer at TS Waireka Lt Cdr Edie held numerous officer positions, including Cadet Unit Commander (CUCDR). Lt Cdr Edie was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander in January 2005. Since moving to Auckland in 2014, Lt Cdr Edie was appointed as the Area Support Officer (ASO) for Auckland North. At times he was also the temporary CUCDR for Training Ships Leander, Gambia, and Bellona, each for only a few months. In March 2020 Lt Cdr Edie stepped down as ASO to take on an officer role within TS Leander. |