Shortly The Royal New Zealand Navy will have a fleet of twelve modern, versatile ships ready and prepared to deploy on operations around our coast, the Pacific or the world.
HMNZS TE KAHA and TE MANA
HMNZS Te Kaha and Te Mana are our Navy’s combat force. These two ANZAC class frigates are the key fighting units of RNZN, with armament that includes a 5” gun, vertical launch missile system, torpedoes and a close in weapon system for self defence. When deployed each Ship has an SH2G Seasprite helicopter armed with air-to-surface missiles embarked from Naval Support Flight. The roles of these frigates include protecting New Zealand, our maritime resources and our neighbours; surveillance; Civil Defence; search and rescue; participation in UN peacekeeping missions; and providing gunfire support to troops on the ground.
HMNZS OTAGO and HMNZS WELLINGTON
Two new off shore patrol vessels (OPVs) HMNZS Otago and HMNZS Wellington will soon join the fleet. The OPVs will operate throughout New Zealand’s 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the Southern Ocean and the South Pacific. They will carry out a range of roles, including patrolling, surveillance, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, support to peacekeeping operations and sea training for the Navy. They will conduct maritime patrols, in conjunction with the P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft, in the New Zealand EEZ, Southern Ocean and South Pacific. Their surveillance tasks will be primarily in support of civilian agencies. Specialist staff from government agencies such as NZ Customs, Ministry of Fisheries will be onboard when required.
HMNZS ROTOITI, HMNZS HAWEA, HMNZS PUKAKI and HMNZS TAUPO
Four Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs) have been built to conduct maritime surveillance in support of agencies such as Customs, NZ Police, the Department of Conservation and the Ministry of Fisheries on operations around New Zealand’s 15,000 kilometres of coastline. ROTOITI and her sisters are sophisticated ships, with fully automated control and navigation systems, powerful engines, modern communications and surveillance systems, active stabilisers and comfortable accommodation. In addition to patrolling, an IPV’s tasks will include surveillance, response and boarding operations and search and rescue. Secondary roles for the IPVs will be in New Zealand disaster relief and defence aid to the civil community.
HMNZS CANTERBURY
The multi-role vessel HMNZS Canterbury was the first of the seven new ships built under Project Protector. She provides a sea lift capability for the transport and deployment of equipment, vehicles and personnel, and is capable of transferring cargo and personnel ashore when port facilities are not available. Canterbury has two 59 tonne Landing Craft Medium (LCM) capable of carrying 50 tonnes at 9 knots with a range of 250 nm. Canterbury has a diesel-electric propulsion and a maximum speed of just over 19 knots. She is affiliated to the Canterbury region.
HMNZS ENDEAVOUR
HMNZS Endeavour is the Royal New Zealand Navy’s purpose built fleet replenishment tanker. She carries supplies and fuel for RNZN, Commonwealth and Allied surface units. She can re-supply ships at sea, or in overseas ports from the 7,500 tonnes of fuel in her eight tanks, or the supplies held in the four containers on deck. She can provide fuel to helicopters fitted with in flight refuelling.
HMNZS RESOLUTION
As the Royal New Zealand Navy’s principal survey and research ship, Resolution is used to survey and chart the waters in and around New Zealand and the Pacific. Resolution was commissioned into the RNZN in February 1997. She is named for the sailing vessel HMS Resolution used by Captain James Cook, Royal Navy, during his second and third voyages to New Zealand. The moniker recognises the extensive hydrographic survey work Cook and his team completed. The ship’s home port is Gisborne. HMNZS Resolution also provides a scholarship for under-privileged high school students to participate in a 10 day passage on the SPIRIT OF NEW ZEALAND.
HMNZS MANAWANUI
HMNZS Manawanui is a diving support ship, equipped with a compression chamber and a wet bell to support divers. She also undertakes patrol and surveillance tasks in New Zealand waters. Manawanui is a Maori word meaning “to be brave or steadfast”. She has a triple lock recompression chamber, a crane with 13 tonne lifting capacity, and a small engineering workshop. The divers of the New Zealand Navy who work onboard Manawanui are trained for deep diving with mixed gases, underwater demolition and unexploded ordnance disposal.
Our Navy’s New Inshore Patrol Vessels
Four IPVs, HMNZS ROTOITI, HMNZS HAWEA, HMNZS PUKAKI and HMNZS TAUPO, have been built to conduct maritime surveillance in support of agencies such as Customs, NZ Police, the Department of Conservation and the Ministry of Fisheries on operations around New Zealand’s 15,000 kilometres of coastline. In addition to patrolling, an IPV’s tasks will include surveillance, response and boarding operations and search and rescue. Secondary roles for the IPVs will be in New Zealand disaster relief and defence aid to the civil community.
The introduction of the IPVs is an exciting time for the Royal New Zealand Navy. Comparing these versatile vessels with the Inshore Patrol Craft (1990s) and the Lake Class Patrol Boats (mid-70s to late 80s) is like comparing a Ferrari with a Toyota Hilux. The IPVs are fast and highly manoeuvrable. With active fin stabilisers, they provide a comfortable ride, they are far more sophisticated (modern off the shelf equipment and automated systems including unmanned machinery spaces) and significantly more capable (long range, modern communications and surveillance systems).
Specifications:
- Displacement: 340 tonnes, Length Overall: 55 metres, Beam: 9 metres
- Speed: 25 knots, Range: 3,000 nautical miles
- Complement: Core ship’s company: 20, Government agencies: 4, Additional personnel: 12, Total: 36