12 February 2008
The Royal New Zealand Navy will have a significant presence in Napier as Hawkes Bay commemorates the 1931 earthquake and celebrates all that is Art Deco with the 2008 GEON Brebner Print Art Deco Weekend.
HMNZS RESOLUTION will be berthed at the Port of Napier from 14-18 February in support of the commemorations, as she has on six previous occasions.
The band of the Royal New Zealand Navy will also participate by leading the street parade on Saturday and performing at a free concert in the Napier Soundshell on Saturday evening.
The Deputy Chief of Navy, Commodore Bruce Pepperell will also be in attendance, highlighting the strong affiliation that the Navy has with the people of Hawkes Bay.
The Commanding Officer of HMNZS RESOLUTION, Commander Murray Tuffin, says the opportunity to participate in the earthquake commemorations has always been a highlight for the naval personnel involved.
“The Navy is proud of the strong links that were forged with the Hawke’s Bay during the aftermath of the 1931 Earthquake and we are very keen to maintain that relationship with the district,” he said.
“At the time the earthquake struck, HMS Veronica was alongside Napier and Royal New Zealand Navy personnel provided any assistance they could to the area.”
Although RESOLUTION has been a frequent visitor whilst conducting survey operations in the vicinity, Napier is soon to receive its ‘own’ vessel when HMNZS ROTOITI is accepted into service and designated with Napier as its home port.
Following the visit to Napier, HMNZS RESOLUTION will resume survey tasks in the Bay of Plenty and Poverty Bay undertaken as part of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Navy and Land Information New Zealand (LINZ).
RESOLUTION will not be open to visitors during the visit to Napier.
ENDS
For further information, please contact Elizabeth Lincoln, Assistant PR Manager (Navy) Tel: 021 441 523