Nova Systems looks for greater depth in New Zealand’s maritime sector

Nova Systems is looking to further build on the depths of its maritime experience in New Zealand with plans to double in size within the next 18 months as the business supports the nation’s defence into the future, according to new General Manager Jude Rushmere.

Mr Rushmere revealed the longterm growth plan for the leading engineering services and technology solutions company after taking over the New Zealand helm earlier this year following a global restructure of the company.

“We have been successfully working on Operational Test and Evaluation and development of safety cases for New Zealand’s Naval fleet and that will continue to be part of our pipeline as we support delivery of vital capability,” Mr Rushmere said.

He said the company was vying for several significant new maritime contracts backed by a strong pedigree of supporting the sector globally and growing into the New Zealand maritime domain during the past eight years.

“Among our aspirations is for our highly experienced team to support the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) as it works towards Operational Release of its frigates following their recent upgrades. We also have specialist skills, such as ship surveying, and the flexibility to provide support to larger organisations as part of the Maritime Engineering Support Team construct,” Mr Rushmere said.

“Test and Evaluation is embedded in Nova Systems’ DNA, and we’ve particularly focused on delivering this expertise as an integral part of the RNZN for many years including the RNZN’s newest vessels HMNZS MANAWANUI and HMNZS AOTEAROA.”

HMNZS MANAWANUI was acquired as the RNZN’s specialist dive and hydrographic vessel to close the capability gap for navy after the decommissioning of the survey ship HMNZS RESOLUTION in 2012 and HMNZS MANAWANUI in early 2018.

The vessel was purchased by the Ministry of Defence and entered service with the RNZN in 2019, Nova Systems having been tasked with supporting her Test and Evaluation.

“Our Nova Systems team is supporting major Maritime projects including with Test and Evaluation, Integrated Logistics and Engineering Assurance support services for the RNZN Dive Hydro and Maritime Sustainment vessels,” Mr Rushmere said. “We also provided expert advice on the Future Maritime Support Construct that would see the RNZN move to an ISO 55000 framework when they are ready.”

HMNZS AOTEAROA supports combat operations, humanitarian relief functions and operational and training support. Its primary mission is to provide global sustainment to New Zealand and coalition maritime, land and air units, and United Nations security operations through resupply of ship and aviation fuel, dry goods, water, spare parts, and ammunition.

“Our involvement has included supporting the introduction of the vessel into service including the successful Trials and Development planning including the Antarctic Replenishment Operations when HMNZS Aotearoa completed her first re-supply mission to the ice,” Mr Rushmere said.

“Our Safety Assurance services have expanded after successful completion of an Independent Safety Case Assurance Review for AOTEAROA generated confidence in our capabilities. This supported Nova Systems being awarded a contract to develop a retrospective Safety Case for the Offshore Patrol Vessels.”

HMNZS Aotearoa on a resupply mission to Antarctica.

Image courtesy NZDF.

Mr Rushmere said the New Zealand growth plan followed Nova Systems’ move earlier this year to capitalise on decades of defence industry experience and rapid global growth by drawing its four businesses under one banner.

“We are creating new scope for our company in vying for new nation-building projects along with those we are currently undertaking to support the New Zealand Government in national maritime projects,” Rushmere said.

The local company was established in 2014 when Nova Systems made a significant expansion into Maritime services.

Now with bases in Wellington and Auckland, the NZ company has grown and expanded its client base and Mr Rushmere said it would look to recruit new specialist staff to support its continued development.

“We are supporting defence projects across Maritime, Land, Air and Information domains. In particular, our Design Control, Design Assurance and Change Management expertise, which is currently being utilised to optimise the Land Engineering Regulatory Environment, has significant potential to deliver broader enhancements across Defence,” Mr Rushmere said.

Nova Systems is also keen to support HMNZS Canterbury – a humanitarian relief and disaster aid vessel capable of ferrying vehicles, food and other essential to support the Pacific Region.

“Nova Systems New Zealand has proven capability in developing safety cases for new and existing vessels and reach back into the great depths of capability from the team in Australia and globally to support New Zealand in the Maritime domain,” Mr Rushmere said

“We want to support our defence client better through organic growth, using New Zealand people to help and support the New Zealand Defence Force.”

As part of Nova Systems’ global restructure, Mr Rushmere was appointed to the role as General Manager in NZ, while Geoff Comber, who has been GM since the Nova Systems NZ business was fully established in 2017, is focusing on growth as the NZ Delivery and Business Manager.

“This is the next step in the company’s evolution with scope to employ more New Zealanders, to win new contracts across sectors and to support investment and build in this country,” Mr Rushmere said.

“Globally, almost 50 per cent of our employees are veterans, the skills offered by ex-defence personnel are highly valued by Nova Systems as they enable us to effectively support government projects.”

“One of our company’s great strengths is its ability to utilise decades of knowledge gained working on highly complex projects and to evolve. Nova Systems continues to broaden its scope from aerospace to maritime, land, cyber and space across defence and nondefence customers.”

Nova Systems also has significant reach through its global network with a workforce approaching 800 staff.

The company has some 300 supply chain relationships and now operates from strategically located offices based in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Singapore and Norway.

Mr Rushmere said Nova Systems has a strong track record working on some of the most complex national defence projects and in knowledgesharing with Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Norway.

In New Zealand, Nova Systems continues to work on a diverse range of projects across multiple domains.

“The company is privileged to have been appointed as a supplier to the New Zealand Ministry of Defence’s Technical and Support Service Panel and to various Defence Force and Government panels,” Mr Rushmere said.

“And our NZ business has been recognised with several nominations for Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence.”