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HMNZS Aotearoa, the navy s huge new supply ship, arrives home for first time
21 Apr, 2021 07:44 AM
5 minutes to read
HMNZS Aotearoa arrives in New Plymouth. Photo / New Zealand Defence Force
RNZ
By Robin Martin of RNZ
The Royal New Zealand Navy s newest and largest-ever ship HMNZS Aotearoa has made its first visit to its ceremonial home port in New Plymouth today.
The $450 million supply ship came into service last year and at 173m long it can carry 10.5 million litres of fuel - or enough to top up a frigate almost 14 times.
It steamed into Port Taranaki this morning.
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The trip out to Aotearoa did not have an auspicious beginning with Able Seaman Leon Cooper issuing a rather chilling safety briefing to the crew of journalists heading out to HMNZS Aotearoa on a rigid-hulled inflatable (RHIB).
SIMON O CONNOR/Stuff
Steven Wereta is the only crewman who shares the same home as the Royal New Zealand Navy’s newest, and largest ship, HMNZS Aotearoa.
As HMNZS Aotearoa entered her home port for the first time, Steven Wereta watched the New Plymouth coastline with growing anticipation – the vessel was entering his home, too. The 20-year-old is the only crew member of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s newest and largest ship to hail from its ceremonial home of Taranaki. “I’m glad to be going home with this ship,” Wereta said. “It’s a real privilege.”
SIMON O CONNOR/Stuff
HMNZS Aotearoa has made its first visit to its ceremonial home port in New Plymouth today.
HMNZS Aotearoa arrives in New Plymouth.
Photo: New Zealand Defence Force
The $450 million supply ship came into service last year and at 173m long it can carry 10.5 million litres of fuel - or enough to top up a frigate almost 14 times.
It steamed into Port Taranaki this morning.
The trip out to Aotearoa did not have an auspicious beginning with Able Seaman Leon Cooper issuing a rather chilling safety briefing to a the crew of journalists heading out to
HMNZS Aotearoa on a ridged hulled inflatable (RHIB).
The festivities will follow a formal welcome to the city, firstly from Ngati te Whiti, before Mayor Neil Holdom addresses the ship’s company and presents Aotearoa’s Commanding Officer Captain Simon Rooke with the City Charter. “It’s been four years since we heard the fantastic news that HMNZS Aotearoa would have a Taranaki base following our long and successful association with her predecessor HMNZS Endeavour and HMNZS Taranaki before that,” Holdom said in a statement.
JASON DORDAY/STUFF The ship’s company will be given permission to parade through New Plymouth.
Key timings for Friday s Charter Parade for