HMNZS Otago

HMNZS Otago is an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) designed to operate throughout New Zealand’s 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the Pacific. The ship can undertake a range of roles including patrolling, surveillance, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, support to peacekeeping operations and sea training for the Navy.

Otago was delivered to the Ministry of Defence and commissioned into the Royal New Zealand Navy on 18 February 2010. Otago is the second ship of this name to serve in the Royal New Zealand Navy.

The OPVs’ have a complement of 42 Navy personnel and also have the capacity to host 36 additional personnel onboard for general naval training or other duties, including Government agency officers.

The OPVs’ are capable of many roles including maritime patrol, surveillance and response. They have the ability to conduct helicopter operations using a Super Seasprite SH-2G(I) helicopter, boarding operations using the ships Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats, or Military Support Operations with embarked forces.

The two ships have previously worked with government agencies such as Primary Industries (fisheries), Customs, Police and the Department of Conservation.

After a period of time alongside at the Devonport Naval Base, HMNZS Otago will shortly begin operational deployments again. HMNZS Wellington is currently under a care and custody arrangement at the Naval Base.  

Ship's Badge

Motto: He Kaitiaki no nga tai ki te tonga (Southern Guardian).

In 1958, secondary school pupils from the Otago province were invited to design a badge for the new Rothesay-class frigate HMNZS Otago (F111). Ernest Pope from Roxburgh Hydro School was selected as the winning entry. His badge design featured a claymore (Scottish broadsword) and a shepherd’s crook crossed over blue and white lines representing the sea.

HMNZS Otago was decommissioned in 1983 but in 2010 a new Offshore Patrol Vessel, HMNZS Otago (P148) was commissioned and took the older ship’s badge.

Our Navy and the Otago region share a bond, with many people from the region serving our Navy in times of peace and in times of conflict. HMNZS Otago is named to honour our connection to the Otago region and her homeport Dunedin.

HMNZS Otago was named by the Ship Sponsor, Dame Silvia Cartwright and is affiliated to the Dunedin (Otago) region.

Operations

• Long range patrols

• Surveillance and reconnaissance

• Counter-terrorism

• Search and Rescue

• Interception and boarding

• Apprehension and escort of vessels

• Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief

• Support for other government agencies, including Police, Primary Industries, Customs and Department of Conservation

• Helicopter operations

• Pollution patrol

• Sea training for the Navy

• VIP Transport

• Defence diplomacy and representational activities in NZ and foreign ports

Specifications

Armament