"Don't expect yourself to have it all figured out by the time you leave WHS." - Ryan Mawhinney (class of 2015)

After four years serving as a Logistics Officer with the RNZAF, Flight Lieutenant Ryan Mawhinney will be swapping roles to begin pilot training in January 2027. Currently the Section Commander of Base Auckland Aviation Fuel Section, he was previously Commander of the Base Woodbourne Logistics Squadron and 6 Squadron Adjutant. 

What impact did your time at WHS have on your military career?

WHS had the best school camps, which in turn created confidence in being in the outdoors. School gave me the opportunity to meet some pretty amazing/interesting people. Never feels small or that I can't speak up in any room.

What made you decide to enlist?

I had been working in a corporate job just before Covid hit. During this time I had a chance to stop and think and realized I wanted to do something a bit more outdoorsy and to feel like I am helping those in need. I have had some amazing opportunities since joining like delivering aid to Pacific Island countries or working in and Emergency Operation Centres after floods have impacted towns.

What is a significant lesson you learned from your time in the armed forces? From your time at WHS?

To lead is to serve. If you help those in need, they will return the favour 10 fold when you need it.

Were there staff or fellow students who taught you important lessons about leadership or service? 

• Mrs. Brown (Miss Duncan) was my first tutor group teacher and then later on my art teacher. She would always take an interest in everyone in class and would go above and beyond spending extra time to help those who wanted to put in the work.
• Mr. Mac (Ken) taught me you can have fun in literally every situation, that doesn't mean you can't get serious. But, just how you frame the situation and understanding that hard stuff will pass by soon. If you apply yourself you'll come out the other side.
• Mr. Nathan, obviously he was my maths teacher, and I remember a class about how unlikely you are to ever win the lottery (only ever bought one ticket since then). But, I think I actually took more from him in regards to sporting and leadership pursuits. He had the drive to improve himself and evidently the school like no other.
• Mrs. Quaid taught creativity and critical thinking. She taught what felt like in a much wiser style and made sure not to pigeon hole me into any direction.
• Mr. Robb made sure learning was always fun. His classes were a joy to attend and he was extremely approachable about any questions I had.
• Mr. Drew taught me to focus on the finer details and be extremely particular so as not to drop to a lower standard. Some of the papers I wrote in PE were the most fun as there was quite a bit of freedom to investigate things yourself, e.g. shooting the basketball at what angle and with how many rotations gave a better chance of the ball going in the hoop.
• Mr. Hardman was my house leader for a few years there and definitely helped me start finding what my own definition of leadership looked like.

How do you see WHS's values — Excellence, Respect, Responsibility, Resilience, and Inclusion — reflected in your military service? 

Honestly the one I feel as though I can relate to the most is resilience. Once you learn to consciously accept that you will have to deal with tough situations and you can do so without complaining, you will be miles ahead of many around you. Hardships will occur when you are not expecting them, it's not an if, but a when. So if you can become strong mentally and have the ability to adapt, you will probably find yourself laughing about whatever the situation was 48 hours after it happened. 

What advice would you give to current WHS students?

Don't expect yourself to have it all figured out by the time you leave WHS.