Royal New Zealand Naval Association Inc.

(A new name for the New Zealand Ex-Wrens Association Inc.)

With the approval of the New Zealand Governor-General and the Chief of Navy, our new title has been granted.  We are proud to be able to use the word “Royal” in our new name.

Our fine history began in 1942 with the establishment of the Women’s Royal New Zealand Naval Service.  Its inception allowed women to do the jobs of the men, so that they could be released to serve at sea.

War Wrens served with distinction in many arenas of WWII, some so secret it stayed that way for 40 years.  Since the war Wrens continued to serve overseas and in various parts of New Zealand, ashore and afloat.  By the time the Wrens amalgamated with the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1977, 1655 women had been in the WRNZNS.

Today women in the Navy serve alongside the men at sea and ashore.  We would like to encourage these women to join our Association.  Our members live all over New Zealand and in other parts of the world.

Our core goals are to foster the comradeship and close ties we all gained from serving in the WRNZNS and the Royal New Zealand Navy and to support our members in many different ways. We achieve this by holding meetings, special events, Combined Services Luncheons, our Annual Church Service, newsletters and reunions.  The next reunion will be held in 2012 in Auckland to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of a Women’s Royal Naval Service for New Zealand.

The Royal New Zealand Naval Women’s Association Inc, is open to all women who have served in the WRNZNS, RNZN, RNZNVR or any Commonwealth Navy.  We welcome new members.  For further information, contact the National Secretary, so that you too, can rekindle the camaraderie and friendship of days gone by.


Margaret Mitchell                      Elizabeth Hedgley
National President                    National Secretary
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Tel 09 402 6699                       Tel 04 479 0081