First in a Decade: Operation REGULUS Brings New Zealand Navy Musician to Vancouver Island

Archana Cini
Lookout Newspaper

Enjoying listening to the low brass section of the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) lately? Meet Petty Officer Musician (PO MUS) Fraser Robertson, from the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), the Naden Band’s first international ensemble member in a decade to make the 11,000 km journey to the island.

An accomplished tuba player in the Royal New Zealand Navy Band (RNZNB), PO MUS Robertson has temporarily joined the Naden Band as part of the Canada–New Zealand Exchange (CANZEX) program. Housed under Operation REGULUS, CANZEX strengthens international cooperation through hands-on personnel exchanges between the RCN and its allied navies. Exchanges can include everything from diving and navigation to logistics —and in this case, music.

Originally from the small town of Te Awamutu on New Zealand’s North Island, PO MUS Robertson first picked up the tuba and his love for music in middle school. He then explored military performance in an educational placement with the New Zealand Army Band in his late teens before officially joining the RNZNB in 2012.

“I chose to join the Navy because it was musically aligned with my personal vision for the future,” said PO MUS Robertson. “The Army band also does a lot of marching, which I learned isn’t ideal when you carry a large instrument like the tuba!” he laughed. Since then, PO MUS Robertson has toured overseas and performed in everything from public parades to diplomatic engagements with the RNZNB. He’s now embracing every moment with the Naden Band at CFB Esquimalt—alongside developing a fondness for true Canadian poutine.

“The welcome I’ve received has been incredible,” says PO MUS Robertson. “I’ve felt completely at home with the Naden Band, and it’s amazing how quickly you can form a bond with people through a shared background of service and music.”

PO MUS Robertson has jumped into a busy summer schedule of rehearsals, performances, and parades since his arrival. To him, the exchange experience has given him not only fresh musical perspectives to take back to the RNZNB, but also strengthened bonds between the two navies. “Working alongside Canadian musicians has proven to me that music really does bridge cultural gaps and build connection,” he shares. “I’ll be returning with a broader perspective of what service really means. Though our navies have such different traditions, I’ve discovered our core mission is the same.”

PO MUS Robertson departs Canada on June 29, flying back to New Zealand with his tuba and a newfound sense of international camaraderie. But when it comes to what he wishes he could bring back, it’s a local brunch filled with friendship and laughter from the Naden Band.