Rotorua-based aviator Corporal Atelea Mapapalangi (Te Arawa) has been named the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Aviator of the Year after overcoming a serious health issue that threatened to end his career.
Corporal Mapapalangi had been working as an aviation fuel specialist at RNZAF Base Ohakea and had plans to move into an aircrew role when a cardiac event limited what he could safely do. At one point, there was even the possibility of being medically discharged from the service.
“It was a really hard time, mostly because of the uncertainty and the restrictions that were placed on me,” he said. “I felt I couldn’t fully contribute to my role.”
Instead of stepping back, he decided to find new ways to add value. He began engaging more closely with senior leadership and colleagues, which opened new opportunities.
Part of that shift involved working with the Youth Development Unit, something he said gave him a renewed sense of purpose.
“But it didn’t stop there,” he said. “The more people I interacted with, the more opportunities kept popping up. One of them was the new aviation fuel installation that’s being built at Base Ohakea.
“The proactive engagement led me to re-muster as an operational support specialist and I’m working hard on the new fuel installation project. It was like a fire had been reignited after all the restrictions I had faced.”
Of Tongan and Māori descent, Corporal Mapapalangi is the eldest of seven siblings. He spent his schooling years at Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Koutu, a full-immersion Māori language school, and has maintained strong ties to te ao Māori throughout his RNZAF career.
Since joining in 2019, he has been involved with RNZAF Tūrangawaewae and regularly participates in cultural events. Fluent in te reo Māori and trained in mau rākau (traditional martial arts), he has represented the RNZAF by performing the wero for dignitaries and speaking at pōwhiri. He also delivers karakia for parades and graduations, and volunteers his time for recruit visits and community events.
His decision to join the Air Force was inspired by his grandfather Peter Bates, who served more than 30 years as an RNZAF metal worker.
“He didn’t speak too much about his career, and it took other people to talk about his accolades and his time in service,” Corporal Mapapalangi said. “I decided I just wanted to do something a little bit different from the ordinary pathway with my life and knowing that Koro, a few uncles and a cousin served was my main drive to enlist.”
He said one of the best parts of his career has been meeting people from different backgrounds and travelling around Aotearoa.
“When you arrive on recruit course it’s a melting pot of people. It’s a culture shock, but in the most positive way,” he said.
Now focused on his future, Corporal Mapapalangi said he wants to make the most of every opportunity that comes his way.
“I think back on what I’ve learned. A couple of years ago, I thought my career plan was set in stone but then it all changed. It’s about being resilient to the hand that you’ve been dealt and being proactive to seek new opportunities that arise.”
