The World Traders Bowl was presented for a second year on 3 March 2026 onboard HMNZS Canterbury. There was more than a “fair wind” so the presentation took place below deck this year. Our WT Liaison Officer, Liveryman Honorary Captain Bevan Killick visited the HMNZS Canterbury with the newly appointed Navy Museum Director, Kath McGhie. Last year’s winner, POMT Sanjay Goundar, remains posted to the ship and returned the World Traders’ Bowl in fine condition for his successor.
After a hopefully brief explanation of the City of London, Livery Companies and affiliations with Armed Forces units (not an easy task), the World Trader Bowl was presented to this year’s winner, Leading Chef Santina Lidgard.
Leading Chef Santina Lidgard played a critical role in the cocktail parties conducted last year onboard HMNZS Canterbury. These receptions were critical in building relations with foreign partners and maintaining friendships across the ocean. In doing this, she has helped to showcase New Zealand and our fine cuisine at the highest strategic levels.
Leading Chef Lidgard is a frequent member of the Standing Sea emergency team, and is also a CBRNDCI (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Damage Control Instructor). Through Leading Chef Lidgard’s work outside of the galley, the ship is kept safe and capable of ensuring sea lanes are safe. This supports and encourages freedom of trade particularly in the South-West Pacific region. Her role in the galley ensures the ship’s company has good quality and timely meals which assists them in carrying out their duties.
We were greeted on arrival at HMNZS Canterbury by LTCDR Jack Walters, who has been our contact onboard. We were escorted to the Captain’s Cabin to meet the Commanding Officer CDR Wayne Andrew. CDR Andrew’s previous position was as the Naval Advisor in the New Zealand High Commission. CDR Andrew has recent knowledge of the City and Livery Companies, which is helpful. A previous Commanding Officer of HMNZS Canterbury, CDR Martin Walker, is now the Naval Advisor at the New Zealand High Commission in London.
There was a rigorous selection criteria for the winner of this year’s World Traders’ Bowl. All heads of departments proposed their candidate to the Commanding Officer. The Maritime Logistics Officer LTCDR Seamus Shaw proposed Leading Chef Santina Lidgard.
Presentation of the World Traders Plaque
We were delighted to officially present CDR Martin Walker with the World Traders’ Plaque onboard the ship.
When originally presented there was what turned out to be a false positive COVID case on the ship, so the plaque was presented to the Maritime Component Commander CDRE Mathew Williams MNZM (now Vice Chief of Defence Force RADM Mathew Williams MNZM) on land, pictured below.
Congratulations from the World Traders
Hearty congratulations to Leading Chef Santina Lidgard – and what a pleasure to be able to present the plaque in person to CDR Martin Walker.
Fun fact: the slang term for a Leading Seaman (or Chef) is ‘Killick’!
