The RNZAF’s Sergeant Matatunoa Mata got an enthusiastic welcome when he landed at his home island of Ma’uke in the Cook Islands for Exercise Tropic Twilight Photo: Supplied - NZDF
A Cook Islander in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) made an emotional return to his tiny island home this month.
Sergeant Matatunoa Mata joined the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) on a mission to Ma'uke Island for Exercise Tropic Twilight - an operation funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The RNZAF logistics specialist touched down on Ma'uke - one of the easternmost islands in the Southern Cook Islands group - aboard a C-130J Hercules.
It was a historic moment for both RNZAF and Mata as the landing marked the first time a C-130J aircraft has landed on Ma'uke Island.
Sergeant Mata recalls seeing other RNZAF planes growing up, so it was an emotional affair being part of the crew landing the Hercules.
"It was a surreal feeling. I remember myself looking up and looking at the planes back in the day when they used to come over, and now I'm looking down on everyone as we flew over them... just sitting up there in the cockpit and waving to everyone."
RNZAF C-130J Hercules delivered around 19 tonnes of supplies to Ma’uke. Photo: Supplied - NZDF
Mata has flown into war zones like Afghanistan and Iraq, and accompanied New Zealand prime ministers across Southeast Asia.
But touching down on Ma'uke, an island with a population of only 240, has been the most meaningful journey of his career so far.
"This trip definitely tops all the other destinations I've been to. And if I don't get another opportunity to fly somewhere else in the world, then I'm happy."
Born and raised in Ma'uke, Mata left the island at 16 to finish school in Auckland before joining RNZAF. Now 36, he said returning home in uniform was a full circle moment.
"There was only two people I wanted to meet, which was mom and dad. But then once I met them, the whole island wanted to meet me as well. The drums were going and they told me, 'Well, you've done all this. You might as well dance.' I broke into a dance, and everyone's laughing and very cheerful."
"For the whole day, I couldn't stop smiling."
The RNZAF’s Sergeant Matatunoa Mata. Photo: Supplied - NZDF
The visit to Ma'uke is part of Exercise Tropic Twilight, a humanitarian and disaster resilience operation funded by New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Mata played a key role in the mission, helping plan and manage the aircraft's cargo.
He said it is a job that takes precision.
"You can't just load up whatever you feel like and expect it to fly, if you have too much on the tail end, then it'll tip the aircraft on his ass. And if you have it too far forward, then it'll tip the nose forward.
"So we plan all that, and then we hand it over to the load master, and if he's happy, then he'll put it into the computer. If he's not happy, then we'll have to recalculate or take stuff off to balance the aircraft."
The RNZAF’s Sergeant Matatunoa Mata got an enthusiastic welcome when he landed at his home island of Ma’uke in the Cook Islands for Exercise Tropic Twilight Photo: Supplied - NZDF
This year's exercise involved more than 30 personnel from the New Zealand Army, including engineers, logistics and medical staff.
Troop Commander Lieutenant Jared Wilson said the effort is about strengthening resilience in Pacific communities.
"It's an impact-funded exercise... where the New Zealand Defence Force conducts humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and resilience work around the Pacific."
The crew focused on essential community infrastructure.
Wilson said one of the major tasks has been upgrading Ma'uke's water supply, which relies on an aquifer system.
"Some of those pumps had failed, so our team's been able to upgrade those pumps to ensure the water supply to the island is functioning as it should."
Australian Sapper Subash Giri, left, and Tongan Private Paea Tukuafu work at Ma’uke’s water farm with a local worker during Exercise Tropic Twilight Photo: Supplied - NZDF
The islands solar power farm also needed attention.
Wilson said the system was experiencing equipment failures from overheating in the hot tropical climate.
"We've installed some temperature control, some air conditioners, some heat pumps, to try and extend the life of the equipment and keep the power on."
At the island's only school, they have built covered walkways to shelter students moving between classrooms, spruced up bathroom blocks, upgraded the electrical system and constructed a new playground.
The Exercise Tropic Twilight contingent pose with the students and staff from Apii Ma’uke, the island’s school, after work was completed Photo: Supplied - NZDF
Wilson said they finished ahead of time and were able to provide their services at Ma'uke hospital.
This included the installation of a new solar-powered hot water cylinder and the construction of new furniture.
He said the local community was very involved in the operation.
"The generosity from the community to just help us out with anything we have needed... the hospitality here is something I think every member of our contingent has found very special. We were able to finish quicker than expected, mainly due to the skill of the people we have here."
Additional troops from Australia, Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu were also involved in the month long mission.
Much of Ma’uke turned out for a VIP day midway through the exercise, which featured dancing and a feast Photo: Supplied - NZDF
