They had travelled from Waitara and arrived half an hour before the open day started at 11am.
But owing to the huge number of people who turned out for a taste of life aboard the vessel, it took the Patricks more than an hour to get on to a bus that was transporting visitors through the port.
But even the bus was exciting for Liam, as it was the biggest bus he’d ever been on.
SIMON O'CONNOR/Stuff
People queued for more than an hour to get onboard the ship, which was docked at Port Taranaki.
The 173-metre-long HMNZS Aotearoa is a supply ship and although she will reside in Devonport, Auckland, Port Taranaki is her ceremonial home. It’s a tradition that dates back years and serves to connect the navy with the regions