COMMANDER KERRY TUTTY, RNZN, MIntSy, BHSc(N), PSC(j)

Commander Leadership Development

Last year at SKC 1984

Commander was one of the first intake of female students to the college.

What have you been up to since leaving SKC? 

Commander Kerry Lee Tutty entered the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1986 in the Medical Trade. In 2005 at the rank of Chief Petty Officer, she was commissioned From the Ranks to Branch List Administration (Health Services Officer).

In 1989 Kerry posted to HMNZS TUI as one of the first female sailors to serve in a Sole Charge position at sea; following this, she returned to the Navy Hospital Operating Theatre until commencing a Diploma of Nursing Course in 1992.

Upon graduation in 1994 a posting to HMNZS TUI followed, the highlight of this posting was the New Zealand Government representation in the Peace Flotilla in Mururoa. In 1996 after successfully completing the Petty Officer Common Promotion Course and promotion, Kerry returned to the Navy Hospital Operating Theatre as the Operating Theatre Manager which became her clinical specialisation.

In November 1998 she was attached to the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) in Iraq as part of the medical attachment for inspection teams. Deployment of a New Zealand Defence Force Medical team to Kosovo in March 1999 saw her working in a humanitarian role alongside the German Red Cross, while based in a refugee camp in Macedonia. This deployment was a defining moment in Kerry's developing a passion for philanthropy.

A posting to HMNZS CANTERBURY in Nov 1999 saw her patrolling the Timorese Sea as part of New Zealand’s commitment to the United Nations Transitional Authority to East Timor (UNTAET). Between postings, she had the privilege of being selected for the Rotary Exchange International Study Tour to South Africa. A personal highlight was meeting President Nelson Mandela.

In November 2000, as part of New Zealand’s United Nations Force Extraction Team (UNFET3), Kerry was attached for seven months to NZ Battalion 3 in East Timor. Based in Suai, her role was that of Charge Nurse of the Operating Theatre for the Forward Surgical Team (FST) and the Acting Senior Nursing Officer (2 I/C).

Upon promotion to Chief Petty Officer in 2003 Kerry was appointed to the Training Department, was attached to the Maritime Operational Evaluation Team and studied part time to successfully complete her Bachelor of Health Science, which she successfully completed in 2004. From 2003 to 2006 Kerry also attained elite sports honours as a New Zealand Representative in Touch Rugby, contributing to two successful Gold Medal campaigns.

Her first appointment following her Commission in July 2005 was as the Directing Staff to new recruits. In 2007 she returned to the Naval Health Unit as the Deputy Director of Naval Health where she was promoted to LT CDR in 2008. Kerry completed her Joint Health Planning Course at the Australian Defence Warfare Centre in 2009. A posting to USNS MERCY as the New Zealand OIC for ‘Pacific Partnership’ then followed.

In 2011 she completed the Surgeon Commanders Combined Amphibious Task Force Surgeon course in San Diego; and in 2013 was the Lead Health Planner for the Rim of the Pacific Exercise. Later that year she was appointed as the Director of Naval Health.

In 2014 Kerry was posted as the Base First Lieutenant for HMNZS PHILOMEL. During this time she was appointed as the Vice Chair of the RNZN Women’s Steering Group. In February 2016, Kerry was appointed as the Executive Officer of HMNZS PHILOMEL in Devonport, Auckland. As XOPHL and during the RNZN’s 75th Anniversary she contributed to the 30 Years Women at Sea programme, subsequent Modern Sailor Conference and the initiates that followed. Kerry is a strong advocate for equity, equality and diversity.

Kerry attended Advanced Command and Staff College in Wellington in 2017, graduating with a Master's in International Security. She was the recipient of a Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award in June 2017 and is a Blake Leader Alumni. She was promoted to Commander in January 2018 and posted to Wellington as the Director of Workforce and Partnerships in the Defence Health Directorate.

Kerry attended the Medical Centre of Excellence in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, graduating with a Diploma in Medical Strategic Leadership in March 2020. In June she was appointed as a Project Officer in HQ Navy, until she commenced her current role as Commanding Officer of the Leadership Development Group, in December 2020.

Kerry enjoys most sports - particularly running, netball, and representative touch rugby – both as a coach and player for North Harbour. She is a self-professed ‘MasterChef’, and enjoys entertaining with her friends and family. She resides in Milford on the North Shore of Auckland and co-parents her two children, Isabella (18) and Sam (16).

What is your most fond memory of your time at St Kevin's? 

The transition from St Thomas to SKC is a profound memory. And of course, sports and my friends. I did a lot of athletics, always participated in the school productions and my SKC girlfriends are still all connected today…

What made you choose your profession? 

I chose the Navy when I was in (the then) third form. Academic education was not accessible to families that couldn’t afford it, and I didn’t want to work in a bank or have a desk job. I also wanted to get out of Oamaru and have different adventures. I’ve always thought a bit out of the box, so it was unusual for someone from Oamaru to join the Forces.

How has the profession changed over the years? 

My profession has profoundly impacted social policy, integration of women into the workplace and equal opportunity initiatives.

What do you think are some of the challenges for young people today and how is it different from your time at school? 

The challenges relate to progress and I don’t necessarily think it’s a challenge for them, but for older people who aren’t/or haven’t been as exposed to technology. I am often frustrated by comments like,… ‘The youth are so attached to their phones’! Yes, they are, but that’s progress! Everything is accessible to them and they are exposed to so much (yes negatively and positively). But it’s all a part of evolution, and change is inevitable. The key challenge for youth today is literacy and numeracy when they enter the workforce, as a consequence of the education system. We have not modernised our education system and standards to reflect the changes of time and this is impacting how youth transition beyond school. I see it in the young recruits that walk in the door and we have to offer significant support to them as a result.

Any funny stories from SKC that you would like to share? 

Loads – but they won’t be funny to those that weren’t there I imagine! Silly little things like walking to the chapel at the end of the day (when it was raining), and telling Brother Connelly that I was going to pray for Ride a ride home… only to have him say “I can give you a ride home”! a little bit naughty, but he knew what was up to….

Article added: Thursday 23 November 2023