RNZAF, Army Help Young Leaders Realise Potential

New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa
Media Release
25 June 2009

RNZAF & NZ Army Help Young Leaders Realise Their Potential

Up to 60 students from around the Manawatu and Rangitikei regions will take part in a special programme as part of the Sir Peter Blake Trust Leadership Week 2009 to encourage and develop leadership potential.

The three day event, supported by the local mayors, runs from Sunday 28 – Tuesday 30 June at Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Ohakea and will see members of the New Zealand Army and Air Force working alongside the young people as they tackle team-building exercises and leadership activities.

Event coordinator Squadron Leader Mike Cannon says the two services are looking forward to hosting the young people.

“We hope the students will be challenged and learn about themselves, how they interact with others and what it takes to be a good leader. The exercises they will undertake enables the students to apply the leadership model used by both NZ Army and RNZAF at the junior leader level.

“This model requires the leader to balance competing needs, namely task, team and individual. They are dynamic exercises that will see teams erecting tentage, producing functioning military communications networks and problem solving.

“Activities on the final day will involve the students competing in the same groups but without a nominated leader. These exercises are shorter, more physically demanding and will require the teams to apply some of the lessons from the previous day,” said SQNLDR Cannon.

Pippa, Lady Blake will visit the base on Sunday and Monday to give a presentation to the students and offer encouragement as they undertake their leadership challenge.

ENDS

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