Captain of all she surveys

Lieutenant Alexandra Hansen. Photo / NZDF

The Navy is to have its first woman commanding officer on a ship.

Lieutenant Alexandra Hansen will take command of HMNZS Pukaki, the new inshore patrol vessel, tomorrow.

The 28-year-old will be handed command of the 55m vessel by its first commanding officer, Lieutenant John McQueen.

Lieutenant Hansen said she had been looking forward to her own command since joining the Navy five years ago.

No other woman has been appointed commanding officer of a ship, although the Navy said it had a woman in control of an inshore craft.

Lieutenant Bronwyn Jones was "officer in command" of the Moa-class inshore patrol vessel HMNZS Hinau, which was taken out of commission in 2007.

Lieutenant Hansen joined the Navy in 2005 as a sub lieutenant after attending Wellington East Girls' College, then gaining a bachelor of science in physical geography and a bachelor of commerce and administration in economics at Victoria University in Wellington.

After posting to another Moa class patrol craft, HMNZS Wakakura, and the frigate HMNZS Te Kaha she went to England on an exchange programme with the Royal Navy for a year.

The Navy has 487 women members - 22 per cent of the regular force.

- NZPA