Civilian of the Year 2024

Mr Nagel has been named NZDF Civilian of the Year for his work at the Depot, where he gets to “wear a different cap every day” as a Subject Matter Expert for the site.

He says the award is very humbling. “It’s actually blown me away completely. I did not expect that at all.”

Mr Nagel is coming up to his 10-year anniversary with the New Zealand Defence Force and Kauri Point. Originally a design engineer and carpenter from South Africa, he arrived with his family over 20 years ago, working for a design company and then his own, which included defence contracts. During a downturn, he looked for work with the Defence Force.

“They were looking for a carpenter and I thought I’d give this a shot. Almost 10 years later, it’s been like a complete turning in my career.”

As an explosive support technician, he can put his carpentry and design skills to good use in designing and building “over-packaging” for munitions that have be loaded onto Navy vessels. “The packaging they came in can’t go on ships. I look at the ordnance and produce a design.”

His “different caps” include escorting contractors – particularly on ongoing infrastructure repairs due to Cyclone Gabrielle damage, and ensuring the facilities, grounds, tools, equipment, vehicles and explosive store houses are compliant with NZDF regulations.

In working in an ammunition depot, risks are elevated. His leaders say Mr Nagel has the trust of his chain of command to provide accurate information and identify issues and can be relied on to resolve them or report them to ensure they are dealt with in a timely manner.

“Mr Nagel excels at being able to identify problems, assess situations, and provide his chain of command with workable solutions that are well researched and often the best options,” says his citation.

He is a well-respected member of staff and has grown an enormous rapport among his colleagues, internal agencies and external contractors.

“He is always the first person to volunteer for additional tasks and is not afraid to put in the extra effort to assist his peers. He has consistently exceeded his performance objectives since his employment began.

“He has consistently gone above and beyond during the Cyclone Gabrielle repairs and performed tasks outside his role to ensure the jobs were done to a high degree.”

Mr Nagel says it’s a diverse, interesting role and everything about it gives him a buzz.

“It’s a million dollar place to work in, and it has million-dollar views. Anyone who is grumpy doesn’t stay grumpy here. I come here every day knowing it’s a pretty cool place to be.”