The Dunedin resident and head of University of Otago Flats is Otago's new honorary naval officer.
Mr Buchanan (52) spent 25 years in the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) before returning to Dunedin 10 years ago.
The departure of Ian Marshall from HMNZS Toroa earlier this year gave Mr Buchanan an opportunity to keep his university job while reigniting his naval involvement.
''It's perfect for me. The navy is in my blood, so to speak. I very much enjoyed my time in the navy and this is an opportunity for me to give something back,'' he said yesterday.
Mr Buchanan will be called to represent the navy at official functions and ceremonies, but otherwise will be free to undertake fulltime employment at the university.
He said the tertiary institution was supportive of his role at HMNZS Toroa.
The RNZN role at Dunedin was changed from a fulltime position as regional naval officer in line with a nationwide restructuring.
Mr Buchanan will be one of 15 honorary naval officers throughout the country, each responsible for a district, governed by a commander naval regions at Devonport.
He will eventually become part of the Royal New Zealand Volunteer Reserve.
Mr Buchanan was a warrant officer in the navy,
responsible mainly for payroll and administration work.
He travelled the world and was deployed on various peace-keeping missions.
