Woman from Harrogate finds ‘perfect niche’ as commander in the Royal New Zealand Navy

Born in Harrogate, Yvonne Gray became a teacher and once hoped to open her own restaurant.

Instead, she said she found her perfect niche as a naval officer, first in the Royal Navy and now in the Pacific with the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Now Commander Gray has taken the helm of the RNZN’s dive, hydrographic and salvage vessel HMNZS Manawanui.

It is her first ship command in a naval career that began in the UK in 1993 as a wartime officer.

Her service as a warfare officer ranged from work on aircraft carriers to frigates and minehunters.

In 2012, Commander Gray and her wife Sharon relocated to New Zealand after falling in love with the country while on a motorhome holiday.

“The obvious thing to do was join the Royal New Zealand Navy,” she said.

As Commanding Officer of the RNZN’s mine countermeasures team, she has participated in activities around the world and her role in maritime assessment has resulted in her helping to bring ships and crews to peak efficiency.

She said her eyes lit up at the thought of taking command of Manawanui, which entered service with the Royal New Zealand Navy three years ago.

Based at Devonport Naval Base in Auckland, Manawanui is Māori for ‘steadfast’ or ‘big heart’.

The Manawanui command symbol is a toki poutangata, a ceremonial adze made of pounamu, or greenstone, attached to a delicately carved handle.

“Sure, for many warfare officers, being able to ‘drive’ a ship is the pinnacle of their career,” said Commander Gray.

“I prefer to think of my career as a ridge line, sometimes the prospect is good and sometimes better.

“If I’ve really enjoyed a job, it’s because I’ve made a change where things are a little bit better than before.

“Manawanui isn’t just about command.

“This is an opportunity to take a ship that is still in its infancy and expand its capabilities and influence and assist those who are carrying our Navy into the future.”

A former pupil of Bilton Grange Primary School and Harrogate Granby High School, she earned a Bachelor of Education (Honours) degree from the University of Lancaster, but teaching positions were scarce at the time.

Commander Gray discovered the Navy while spending her university holidays leading outdoor activities at a Sea Cadet facility in the Lake District.

“I’ve worked with a lot of Navy people, and something about their nature appealed to me.”

She signed an eight-year contract with the Royal Navy.

“The idea was that at the end of eight years you get £23,000. I was cooking a lot at the time and thought I’d do eight years, make £23,000 and open my own restaurant.”

But after a few years, she knew Navy life was for her.

“I really enjoyed myself. I could see that it was an organization that I would fit well into.”

Her camper passion is still strong, but the call of the sea is always there.

Commander Gray returned to RNZN earlier this year after embarking on a 57,000km road trip across Australia with Sharon and her dog Dennis in late 2019.