First shot fired in redevelopment of Naval Base
Three years after the government confirmed the Home of the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) would remain in Devonport, an initial investment of $25 million has been announced by the government for design and planning on the first tranche of works.
26 November, 2025
Making the Future Naval Base Programme announcement today, the Associate Defence Minister, Chris Penk, said the planned long-term development would enable capability, provide RNZN personnel the facilities they need to train, live and operate, and strengthen our national security.
The $25 million will be used for planning and design on specific and immediate infrastructure challenges on the Base. These include training facilities at Narrow Neck, a replacement Sea Safety Training complex, transitionary office space and replacement dry dock gates for which additional budget will be provided over the next 3-4 years based on individual business cases being developed.
The announcement strongly signals an investment at Devonport that extends not only through the North and South Yard precincts of the naval base but beyond to other RNZN areas at Narrow Neck, Kauri Point and the Tamaki Leadership Centre.
Deputy Chief of Navy, Commodore Karl Woodhead, welcomed the announcement as an indication of the government’s commitment to address sea water rise and the Base’s aging infrastructure – much of which was built in the 1940’s.
“But it’s also an acknowledgement of how critical the Devonport Naval Base is to New Zealand’s national security,” he said.
“With the funding now available to immediately begin planning and design work on the first stage of infrastructure improvement, this is a really tangible first step in what will be a complete modernisation of the Base.”
The final cost to transform Devonport into a fit for purpose, operational naval facility, is estimated at $4 billion and scheduled to take 35 years to complete.
Making the announcement today, the Associate Defence Minister, Chris Penk, said the planned long-term development would enable capability, provide RNZN personnel the facilities they need to train, live and operate in.
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History of the Devonport Naval Base
The base’s origins date back to when Lieutenant Governor, and naval captain, William Hobson founded the city of Auckland shortly after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Hobson wanted a place where Royal Navy ships could berth but considered the waters on the southern side of the Waitemata to be too shallow.
The deep water anchorage across the harbour was a far better option so a naval facility was established in 1841 in the very small settlement of Flagstaff – later to be renamed Devonport in 1868, after the Royal Navy base in the United Kingdom.
In 1892, the naval facility at Admiralty Reserve (what is now Windsor Reserve) was swapped for five acres of land further west towards Stanley Bay surrounding the Calliope dry dock. The dry dock, which opened in 1888, was administered by the Auckland Harbour Board and was the largest dry dock in the southern hemisphere at the time.
By 1899 the dry dock had become under-utilised and required significant maintenance. The Board negotiated with the Royal Navy for them to have primary use of the dry dock.
In 1909 the naval facility was formally designated the Devonport Naval Base.
Building continued on a piecemeal basis over the years using the limited footprint of available real estate and on reclaimed land where the Ngātaringa Domain and North Yard of the Base are sited.
During World War I, a training camp was built at Fort Takapuna – previously a coastal defence battery. This was enlarged further during WWII, where 48 buildings, roads and parade grounds were constructed. Today, the site, 3km North East of the Navy base and now known as Narrow Neck, only has a trade training school remaining with the other buildings either demolished or vacant.
Devonport Naval Base, 2025.