There wouldn't be many Paihia folk who can say that they've been deployed to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula as a naval military policewoman, but former Kerikeri High School student Petty Officer Military Police Carla Marsh is doing just that.
Normally stationed at Auckland's Devonport Naval Base, this is her first land deployment after seven years with the Royal New Zealand Navy. She's part of the Kiwi contingent working with the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), an international peacekeeping force overseeing the terms of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.
Carla decided to join the navy because of her love for the sea, and then to become a military policewoman because of a passion for doing the right thing and leading by example.
"I'm really interested in investigations and enjoy talking to people," she said.
"A lot of our job is problem-solving, so I like the challenge of that, and no two days are the same. I like being able to help others when they have an issue that needs resolving, and we also get to work with the New Zealand police."