Acting Deputy Chief of Navy Royal New Zealand Navy Bio Captain Maxine Lawes is an officer in the Royal New Zealand Navy and she has served in the New Zealand Defence Force for 33 years, and is currently the Assistant Acting Deputy Chief of Navy. Captain Lawes has held roles in logistics, finance, HR and until recently was the Commanding Officer of HMNZS PHILOMEL, the Devonport Naval Base, in Auckland. Captain Lawes has served at sea and she has had operational deployments to East Timor, Solomon Islands , Lebanon and Israel as part of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation. Captain Lawes has worked with other militaries, including a three year exchange with the Australian Defence Force. Captain Lawes is passionate about the progression of women in the New Zealand Defence Force, and she is currently the Chair of the New Zealand Defence Force Women’s Development Steering Group.