Rising through the ranks

Johanna Quinn walked away from a steady publishing career and into the unknown – seven years on, she tells Adrienne Matthews how the Royal New Zealand Air Force gave her purpose, challenge, and a front-row seat to adventure.

At 26, Johanna Quinn took a bold leap, leaving behind a stable career in publishing to join the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Seven years later, she hasn’t looked back. “It really is a wonderful career,” she says. “I’m having the most amazing time here.”

Growing up in a family with strong ties to the military (both her grandparents served in the Air Force and her brother is currently enlisted too), Johanna was no stranger to the lifestyle, but it wasn’t until she saw firsthand what her brother was doing that she felt the pull. “I was looking for a career with more purpose, more structure, and more opportunities for growth,” she explains. “I suddenly realised that the Air Force offered exactly that.”

Before donning the uniform, Johanna had completed a Master of International Business in addition to her work as a customer service manager at a publishing company, but the draw of meaningful contribution and continuous development pushed her toward change.

Specialising in communications, Johanna plays a vital role in keeping air and ground teams connected. “We manage the communication circuits,” she says. Her work supports everything from search and rescue operations to humanitarian aid and disaster relief, including during Cyclone Gabrielle, when the Air Force was deployed to a local response group and operated out of tents under tough conditions.

Her trade, though small, is critical and demanding. “You need to know everything from how to build a PC to setting up a mobile office in the middle of a field,” she says. The job spans both IT and radio communications, requiring constant learning and adaptability.

Now, Johanna is retraining as an officer cadet, currently undertaking the Initial Officer Training Course. “Even seven years in, I’m still being challenged and supported to grow. That’s one of the reasons I joined.”

More than the technical skills, it’s the camaraderie that makes the role so rewarding. “You live and work closely together, especially when deployed. You really form tight-knit bonds. The people are a major highlight of this job.”

For Johanna, one of the defining strengths of the Air Force is its ability to respond swiftly and effectively to any situation. “We have the discipline, the training, and the flexibility to respond to whatever comes up,” she says. During extreme weather events or emergency responses, for example, Johanna and her team are responsible for establishing field-based communication centres.

Johanna’s primary posting has been with No. 5 Squadron, which now operates the new Poseidon aircraft. “It’s not every day you get a new aircraft in service. It is incredibly exciting,” she says.

Supporting the squadron through its shift from Auckland to Ohakea gave her the chance to move from training into full operational work. “Putting your training into practice during live operations and exercises was amazing. It really tests your skills.”

Life at Ohakea also suited Johanna personally. Surrounded by the Tararua and Ruahine ranges, it fed her love for the outdoors – a passion rooted in childhood adventures while hiking, caving, and swimming with her family.

Now based at Woodbourne and temporarily apart from her partner, who is based in Ohakea, Johanna continues her journey, currently retraining as an officer cadet, undertaking the Initial Officer Training Course. “Seven years in, and I’m getting further development and leadership training. That’s one of the main reasons I joined and what I value most.”

Johanna is also a proud advocate for gender equality within the military. “There’s a growing number of women in the Air Force, even in traditionally male-dominated trades. It’s a really open environment for change.”

Her advice to new recruits? “Know your why. Whether it’s service, growth, or adventure, you need to hold onto that. It’ll drive you through every challenge and help you make a real difference.” For Johanna, joining the Air Force wasn’t just a career change, it was a conscious decision to align her work with her values. After her previous education and role, she found herself asking the big questions: ‘What legacy do I want to leave?’ and ‘How can I contribute meaningfully to the world around me?’

“The Defence Force is a values-based organisation,” she says. “That really appealed to me. I wanted to be part of something that made a difference.” Conversations with people already in the service confirmed her instincts. “They were passionate, driven, and proud of what they did. That energy was contagious.”

While she came to the Air Force later than some, at 26, Johanna believes her life experience gave her a useful perspective. “There’s value in coming in older. I’d had time to reflect and knew what I wanted. But you also gain so many experiences once you’re in, so there’s no wrong time to start.”

That sense of purpose continues to fuel her today. As an officer cadet, Johanna is learning how to lead teams and support others to thrive, skills she’s eager to take back into the field. “Leadership isn’t about command, it’s about service. It’s making sure your people are equipped, empowered, and valued.”

One of her proudest observations is how the Air Force continues to evolve. From inclusive policies to open discussions around uniforms, facilities, and wellbeing, she says there’s a real willingness to make the workplace better for everyone.

Ultimately, for Johanna, the job is about connection between people, units, and communities. “I’ve seen the impact we can have during a crisis, and I’ve lived the bonds we build as a team. That’s the heart of it. It’s not just a job, it’s a purpose. You learn a lot about yourself and how you react under pressure but the training is designed to build you up, always supported by those around you.”

Her other passion is music, one that’s travelled with her through every chapter of her life, including her Air Force career. “I think I joined my first choir when I was about four,” she says. “And I just kind of never stopped.”

A classically trained mezzo-soprano, Johanna sang throughout school, university, and into her military career. One of her most treasured memories is touring Europe with her high school choir, Key Signatures, from Westlake Girls’ High School where they performed at the World Symposium on Choral Music in 2016. “It was life changing. A dream come true.”

Her musical journey didn’t stop there. Johanna went on to perform with the Auckland Youth Choir from 2016 to 2019, including regular engagements at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Even during her military deployments, singing remained a central part of her identity. While she was deployed to Japan she sang at the Anzac Day service at Kadena Air Base. “Representing New Zealand in that way was such an honour,” she says.

More recently, Johanna has been involved in base and community events. She sings carols each year for children at the Ohakea Christmas event, and she performed live at the Rai Valley Anzac service this year after reaching out to the organisers. “They usually would use recorded music, but they welcomed the idea of something different. It was really special.”

Though currently on a break from her Palmerston North choir, Renaissance Singers, due to officer training, Johanna continues to inspire those around her. “We’re learning a waiata as part of our course. It brings us together. It doesn’t matter how you sound, if you love singing, that’s enough.”

For Johanna, singing is another form of service. “It’s a unique contribution I can offer. It gives mana to occasions, and joy to others and that means everything.”

Already a busy person, Johanna is also studying for a second master's degree in international security. The sky above her really is the limit.