Taranaki soldier has a blast in NZ Army trade

Bulk demolition of ammunition happens for a few weeks every year to safely dispose of any expired, worn and damaged ammunition and explosives. 

Carried out under stringent safety conditions at Waiouru Military Training Area, it remains a highlight for those involved.

Ten ammunition technicians work at the Waiouru depot. A big demolition schedule requires ammunition technicians from other depots and Linton’s 2^nd Combat Services Support Battalion to support the Waiouru team.

Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Denis Wanihi, who is chief ammunition technician and the depot manager at Waiouru, says it’s not just a matter of placing old ammunition in a pit and putting explosives on top of it.

There are techniques involved and all ammunition is different, with around two months of planning and preparation required for this particular demolition.

“An ammunition technician must know the ins and outs of what they are destroying so they can dispose of it correctly,” WO1 Wanihi said.

“A lot of this is learnt through practical experience so it’s important that ammunition technicians attend as many of these demolitions as possible to progress in their careers.” 

He said it provided a base knowledge and experience that you take with you overseas on any deployment or exercise.

WO1 Wanihi said the primary purpose was to keep everyone safe from ammunition.

“At the higher level you will also get to be involved and be a major planner in projects that are worth millions.”

WO1 Wanihi was born in Waverley in South Taranaki and attended St Joseph’s Convent School, Patea, and Patea Area School.

He was the recipient of the New Zealand Gallantry Medal for his work in Afghanistan.

“In Afghanistan we received and collected caches of old, foreign and unknown munitions and destroyed them,” WO1 Wanihi said.

The job of an ammunition technician is a combination of logistic and supply as all ammunition must be safe and accounted for at every stage of its life, whether it’s in the depot or out in the field being used by soldiers. 

All new ammunition arriving in New Zealand is transported to a depot where it is checked again, counted, and stored, under the management of an ammunition technician.

While a large part of what ammunition technicians do is compliance it’s also about managing risk and providing advice to units on use, handling and transport.

Ammunition technicians are frequently asked to accompany soldiers on international exercises to oversee the transport, storage and use, and safe return of ammunition. 

Recent deployments include Australia, Solomon Islands, Fiji, the USA, and the United Kingdom.

As a rule, where there is New Zealand ammunition, there will be an ammunition technician close by. They are also required to work around planes and ships loading ammo for transport.

It takes about two years to train as an ammunition technician and between five and seven years to become fully qualified.

WO1 Wanihi said it was a great career because of its variety of work, both overseas and at home.

“We work with Army, Navy and Air Force - one day we are working with planes, another we are out in the field keeping ammo safe and ready to use for the troops. On another day we are walking through the training area looking for unexploded munitions to destroy.”