Navy probes claim of ill-treatment

The investigation was launched this week after an incident at the Navy Dive School in Devonport. Photo / Richard Robinson

The New Zealand Defence Force is investigating an assault allegedly centring around a more senior staff member "ill-treating" a lower ranked naval rating.

The investigation was launched this week after an incident at the Navy Dive School in Devonport.

A Defence Force spokesman said: "We can confirm an investigation into allegations of ill-treating a person of a lower rank and minor assault is being carried out at the Navy Dive School in Devonport."

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It is understood the incident happened on Wednesday and was then reported to senior staff.

The spokesman would not reveal the nature of the ill-treatment or the assault, the extent of injuries incurred or if any charges had been, or were likely to be, laid. However, he confirmed the military police were conducting the investigation.

"The Navy has zero tolerance of violence of any kind, however, from time to time individuals do not meet our high expectations.

"When this occurs we take all allegations seriously and investigate thoroughly."

In November, naval rating Iosefatu Siulai was sentenced to community work and supervision and ordered to pay $1500 for his assault on two men after a navy function in Auckland.

Last year naval rating Grenville McFarland pleaded guilty to the manslaughter in 2013 of student Tarun Asthana, 25, who died after being king-hit outside the McDonald's outlet at Britomart.

The Devonport Naval Base is the home of the Royal New Zealand Navy and houses all its operational units including ships as well as training and support services for personnel.