Commander Kelly Smith joined the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) in 1998 as an Electronic Technician. She progressed through the ranks to Chief Petty Officer, the first female electronic technician to do so, commissioning to a General List (Weapon Engineering) Officer in 2007. Kelly continued with training and development, ashore and on HMNZ Ships, gaining both her Weapon Engineering Charge and Engineering Charge Qualifications.

In 2012, Kelly posted into the Logistics Command (Maritime) Organisation, and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander. She then posted into the Maritime Operational Evaluation Team (MOET) as the Fleet Damage Control Officer, achieving a milestone for the RNZN, as the first female in this position.

In 2016, Kelly posted into the Centre of Engineering, working for Babcock (NZ) Ltd as the Engineering Change Portfolio Manager. Kelly also studied and graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Management.

Kelly was briefly posted as the Deputy Fleet Engineering Officer (Weapon Engineering), working within the Technical Seaworthiness Authority, and then was selected for the role as Personal Staff Officer to the Vice Chief of Defence Force within the NZDF Headquarters in Wellington.

In 2020, Kelly posted into the Naval Engineering Authority as the Principal Engineer – Combat Systems and more lately as the Deputy Chief Naval Engineer. Kelly has also become a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow through IMarEST.

On promotion to Commander, Kelly became the Assistant Chief Engineer as a placed military personnel in Babcock NZ Ltd. Kelly’s most recent role is as the Fleet Manager for the RNZNs Support Force. She is responsible for the MRO and E for HMNZS Aotearoa, Manawanui and Canterbury. Kelly is the only female engineer at this level in Babcock NZ Ltd.

Kelly lives in Milford. She likes to keep fit and enjoys walking her dog, swimming, and stand-up paddle boarding.