HMNZS Bellona outside Thompson Sound, Fiordland, 1949.
N John CURRIN
Royal New Zealand Navy Frigate, HMNZS Te Kaha Returns To The Capital In Less Challenging Times
Monday, 17 June 2024, 9:19 am
Press Release: New Zealand Defence Force
One of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s Anzac-class frigates, HMNZS Te Kaha, will this week be making its first port visit to Wellington since 2016.
Te Kaha was last in the capital following the humanitarian assistance and disaster response it provided during the Kaikōura earthquake.
Since then, the ship has undergone a significant upgrade to its combat, surveillance and counter measures capability in Canada and has recently returned to sea after a period of extended maintenance.
Te Kaha is now in the process of conducting sea trials to ensure equipment and systems are fully functional, as well as enhancing the crew’s core mariner skills.
The ship will be berthing at Queen’s Wharf on Wednesday 19 June, and an Open Day for the public will be held on Saturday 22 June between 10am and 4pm.
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HMNZS Hawea (F422), formerly HMS Loch Eck (K422), was one of six Loch-class frigates that served in both the Royal Navy (RN) and the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN).
The ship was laid down by Smiths Dock on 25 October 1943, launched on 25 April 1944 and commissioned into the Royal Navy as HMS Loch Eck on 7 November 1944.
Royal Navy service
Loch Eck joined the 10th Escort Group in the Western Approaches in December 1944 for anti-submarine patrols and support for convoy escorts. In January 1945 the Group was transferred to Scapa Flow for anti-submarine operations in the Faeroes–Iceland Gap. On 3 February she sank the German submarine U-327 north-west of Shetland with her Squid (mortar) after Hedgehog (mortar) attacks by the frigates Bayntun and Braithwaite. On 14 February she took part in the sinking of U-989, and on the 17 February of U-1278 in the same area.[1]
In March the Group was redeployed in the English Channel and South-Western Approaches as “Force 38”. In April Loch Eck carried out trials of new sonobuoy submarine detection equipment. On 23 May the ship was attached to Rosyth Command to support “Operation Doomsday“, the reoccupation of Norway. On 1 June she escorted U-2529 from Kristiansund to Loch Eriboll as part of “Operation Deadlight“, returning to Norway on 6 June as part of the escort for Convoy RN1 taking King Haakon VII of Norway to Oslo.[1]
After a refit at the Charles Hill & Sons shipyard in Bristol in June and July, she sailed for the Indian Ocean in August, to join the East Indies Escort Force. There she carried out Guard ship and military support duties, as well as the repatriation of military and civilian personnel. She was also present at the formal Japanese surrender of Bali in February 1946 and at Lombok in March. She sailed for home in May, but her return to the UK was delayed after a collision in Colombo with a Navy cutter. She returned to Devonport to decommission on 13 August 1946.[1]
Transfer to New Zealand[edit]
Loch Ech was one of six Loch-class frigates sold to the Royal New Zealand Navy. Renamed HMNZS Hawea, she was acquired on 7 September 1948, and commissioned on 1 October 1948.[2]
Since the Admiralty named the Loch-class ships after Scottish lakes, the six in New Zealand service were renamed after New Zealand lakes. Lake Hāwea is a glacial lake located in the Central Otago region of New Zealand. The name is Māori and is thought to refer to a local tribe although the exact meaning is uncertain. Hawea was the first of three ships with this name to serve in the Royal New Zealand Navy.
Royal New Zealand Navy service
After commissioning at Devonport Hawea sailed for the Mediterranean with three other Loch-class frigates. After exercises with the Mediterranean Fleet in November, she sailed for Auckland, via the Suez Canal and Indian Ocean, arriving in January 1949 to join the 11th Frigate Flotilla.[1]
On 22 March 1949 Hawea participated in sinking the coal hulk Occident in Palliser Bay.
In 1949 Hawea carried out patrols in the Pacific, visiting Suva, Fiji and Samoa. After a refit from October to February 1950 she was transferred on loan to 2nd Frigate Flotilla of the Mediterranean Fleet, with her sister ship Taupo joining the flotilla at Malta in May for Fleet exercises and cruises. She returned to Auckland in November.[1]
Korean War[edit]
The Korean War started on 25 June 1950 when North Korean forces crossed the 38°N parallel and invaded South Korea. The New Zealand Government decided to maintain two frigates in support of a United Nations Naval Force assisting South Korea. Hawea‘s sister ships, Pukaki and Tutira, were hurriedly prepared for war service and sailed for Sasebo, their main base in Japan, on 3 July 1950. They did escort and patrol services, often working with Commonwealth, South Korean and other Allied ships, and in support of amphibious landings. The frigates were rotated in turn with the other four Loch frigates.
In February 1951 Hawea sailed to Kure, Japan, to join the United Nations Task Force. On 18 May she shelled a gun position on the coast, the first time that an RNZN ship fired on the enemy. From June to December she provided navigational data for bombardments in the Han River estuary, shelling rail traffic and maintaining a blockade.[1] On 15 September 1951, Hawea swamped a 7.6-metre (25 ft) motor boat which sank in the Han River estuary while navigating swift tidal channels to reach a bombardment position.
In February 1952 she was relieved by Rotoiti, returning to Auckland on 8 March. She had spent 272 days at sea, steamed 55,000 miles, and fired 21,000 rounds of ammunition. After refit and maintenance at Auckland from April to June she returned to Korea in October for further operations. After the Armistice Agreement of July 1953 she returned to Auckland, arriving there in August.[1]
Later service[edit]
After a refit she returned to the 11th Frigate Flotilla in February 1954 for patrols and port visits. In December 1956 she and Pukaki escorted the supply ship Endeavour in a passage to the Southern Ocean, sailing from Bluff to the edge of the pack ice.[1]
Decommissioning and fate[edit]
On 15 February 1957 Hawea was decommissioned and put into reserve. The ship was used as a Harbour Training ship in Auckland until sold for breaking up in September 1965.[1] On 15 November 1965 Hawea and sister ship Pukaki were towed by the tug Atlas to a breaker’s yard in Hong Kong.
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H M N Z S K A N I E R E (F426)
LOCH ACHRAY was renamed HM New Zealand Ship KANIERE by Lady Willis, wife of CinC Portsmouth. After work-up in Malta with three of the other LOCH Class also being transferred she arrived in Auckland in January 1949.
HMNZS KANIERE was again brought forward in 1953 for service with the UN Task Force off Korea and deployed off the east coast for support of military operations. She remained with RN ships based at Hong Kong after the cease-fire in July 1953 and continued service with the UN until 1954 when she returned to New Zealand.
This ship remained in commission and was detached for service at Singapore with the 3rd Frigate Squadron for two periods between 1955 and 1957. She then was used for sea training duties mainly in coastal waters although deployed periodically for visits to Pacific islands. By 1961 she had been withdrawn from sea duties and placed in Reserve. Used for harbour training until placed on the Disposal List in 1966 she was sold to Hong Kong Rolling Mills and arrived at the breaker’s yard in tow during February 1967.
B a t t l e H o n o u r s
KOREA 1953
H e r a l d i c D a t a
The Badge was designed by the ship and features one of the world’s rarest birds.
In former times the Kakapo was abundant on the shores of Lake Kaniere. The chief of
the Maori Kai Taku snared this bird in this area. Some of the feathers obtained were
used to make a special garment for his daughter. The Kapako was a ground dwelling
bird and the Badge shows a green field to represent this feature.
M o t t o
Kia Maia: ‘Be firm’
D e t a i l s o f S e r v i c e
1 9 4 8
January to May
Laid-up at Portsmouth. (Note: Sale of the ship to New Zealand was agreed at a cost of £232,750 and the ships was to be refitted prior to transfer to the RNZN.)
June to August
Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard Portsmouth. Pennant Number for visual signalling purposes changed to F 426. Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander BE Turner.
September
Carried out harbour trials
27th – Commissioned into RNZN service and renamed HMNZS KANIERE by Lady Willis, wife of CinC Portsmouth. (Note: The original choice of her new name was HMNZS HAIPO but this changed before the ceremony.)
Commanding Officer: Lieutenant T W Stocker RN.
October
Carried out post refit trials and calibrations. On completion took passage to Malta to work-up for operational service with the ships of the Mediterranean Fleet. Commenced work-up in Malta.
November
Took passage to New Zealand on completion of work-up. Transit of Suez Canal.
December
Passage in Red Sea and Indian Ocean with call at Aden. At Singapore,
1 9 4 9
January
Passage from Singapore to Auckland. Joined 11th Frigate Flotilla on arrival.
February to June
Deployed at Auckland with Flotilla for exercises. Nominated for Pacific Ocean patrol and visits.
July to August
Carried out patrol with calls at Suva, Fiji and Samoa.
Returned to Auckland.
September
Deployed at Auckland. Commanding Officer: Commander CC Stevens and Senior Officer 11th Frigate Flotilla.
Nominated for joint exercises with RAN.
October to November
Passage to Sydney Took part in joint exercises in Jervis Bay area Calls were made at Melbourne and Hobart, Tasmania
December
Return passage to Auckland.
1 9 5 0
January to August
Deployed at Auckland and took part in Flotilla and RNZN exercises and visits. Nominated for refit. Commanding Officer: Lieutenant D B Holdsworth RN.
September to October
Under refit at Auckland by HM Dockyard. (Note: Ship had been intended for exchange service with Mediterranean Fleet Frigate but she was replaced by sister ship HMNZS HAWEA.)
November to December
Carried out post refit trials and rejoined Flotilla. Deployed for Flotilla duties.
1 9 5 1
January to August
Deployed with Flotilla for exercises and visits. Nominated for Pacific patrol Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander J O’C Ross.
September to October
Carried out Pacific patrol with visits to Apia, Ellice Islands, Rotuma, Suva, Tonga. Returned to Auckland.
Nominated for reduction to Reserve status. Commanding Officer Lieutenant A G Rhodes
November
Paid-off and reduced to Reserve at Auckland.
December
Laid-up at Auckland
1 9 5 2
January to October
Laid-up at Auckland
November
Re-commissioned for service in 11th Frigate Squadron. Commanding Officer: Lieutenant AG Rhodes
December
Deployed for work-up and Flotilla duties based at Auckland.
1 9 5 3
January
Prepared for operational service and exercised with ships of Flotilla. Nominated for detached service with UN naval Task Group at Sasebo
February
2nd – Took passage to Sasebo as relief for HMNZS ROTOITI. Commanding Officer L G Carr RNZN.
Called at Sydney.
March
Passage to Singapore.
April
Passage from Hong Kong to Sasebo.
23rd – Arrived at Sasebo to commence UN service.
24th – Passage to carry out first patrol of west coast of Korea.
May
Deployed for patrol and naval gunfire support including cover for minesweeping operation and the evacuation of wounded guerrillas from Chodo Island off west coast. Later provided support to US warship in Regency Channel and came under shore gunfire. Returned to Sasebo before taking passage to Hong Kong
June
At Hong Kong with HMNZS HAWAE (Note: During this period took part in Commonwealth celebrations including inspection by Commander in Chief , British Forces in Korea.)
10th – Resumed service at Sasebo after carrying out anti-submarine exercises during passage from Hong Kong.
15th – Resumed patrol duties off west coast of Korea
July
UN service in continuation including evacuation of partisans from outlying islands above the the 38 parallel of latitude being proposed as future dividing line as well as providing naval gunfire support to military operations.
28th – Remained for UN duties based at Sasebo after declaration of Cease-Fire (Note: Rest and Recreation facilities were still to be carried out at Kure which had been used by Commonwealth troops since outbreak of hostilities. Repair facilities were also available in the commercial shipyard at Kure.)
August to December
Deployed for patrol off west coast of Korea based at Sasebo in continuation
1 9 5 4
January
Deployment for patrol and support of UN in continuation
Nominated for return to New Zealand. Took passage to Hong Kong
February to March
Passage to Auckland with call at Suva.
April to June
Rejoined Flotilla and deployed with 11th Frigate Squadron for Local duties and exercises.
Nominated for detached service with Commonwealth Strategic Reserve based at Singapore,
July
Prepared for detached service. Passage to Sydney
August
Sailed from Sydney to Singapore with calls at Brisbane and Cairns.
September
Joined 3rd Frigate Squadron, Far East Fleet. Nominated for detached service in Japan with UN. Passage to Sasebo with call at Hong Kong.
October to December
Deployed at Sasebo for UN Support in Korean waters. Took part in international exercises with US Navy and other warships deployed for UN support.
1 9 5 5
January
Took passage to Hong Kong for R&R and maintenance period. Returned to Sasebo to resume UN support duties.
February
Deployed at Sasebo for UN service.
March
Passage to Hong Kong for R&R. Returned to Sasebo for further UN service.
April
UN service at Sasebo in continuation.
May
On release from UN deployment took passage to Singapore to rejoin Squadron.
June
Deployed at Singapore with Squadron and took part in Fleet exercise.
July
Released from detached service at Singapore and took passage to Auckland with calls at Celebes and Cairns. Rejoined 11th Frigate Squadron
August
Taken in hand for routine Docking and inspection of underwater fittings at Auckland.
September to October
Deployed with Squadron for Fleet exercises and visits including Wellington, Bluff and Suva. Nominated for refit.
November to December
Under refit.
1 9 5 6
January
Carried out post refit trials. Nominated for further detached service at Singapore in Commonwealth Strategic Reserve.
February
Passage to Singapore.
March
Re-joined 3rd Frigate Squadron, Far East Fleet. Took part in major Fleet Exercises and visits with Squadron
April
Deployed at Singapore with Squadron. Nominated for detached UN service based at Sasebo.
May
Passage to Sasebo with call at Hong Kong.
June to July
Deployed for UN support based at Sasebo. Took part in international exercises.
August
Released from UN duties and took passage to Singapore
September
Took part in Fleet exercises with Squadron.
October
On release took passage to Hong Kong.
Deployed for patrol off Borneo in support of military operations against Indonesian insurgency. (KONFRONTASI))
November to December
Deployed for anti-piracy patrols and military support. Returned to Hong Kong and later to Singapore. Passage to Hong Kong for Christmas
1 9 5 7
January to February
Deployed on support duties in Borneo. Returned to Hong Kong for R&R.
Resumed duties off Borneo. Took part in major international Fleet exercise.
March to April
Deployed for Borneo support with R&R at Hong Kong.
May
Took part in Exercise ASTRA with Squadron based at Singapore. On completion took return passage to Auckland
June to September
Taken in hand for refit at Auckland. Nominated for deployment as Training ship
October to November
Deployed for training (Note: During this visit deployed in local area and also for visit to Christmas Island.)
December
Training duties in continuation and took part in joint exercises with RAN.
1 9 5 8
January to February
Deployed for training duties including visits to Melbourne, ports on western coast of New Zealand and Hobart.
March
Deployed local for training based at Auckland.
April
Carried out Pacific training cruise with visit to Suva.
Nominated for refit.
May to June
Under refit
July to October
On completion of post refit trials deployed at Auckland for training duties.
November
Deployed for training with visits to Lyttleton and Dunedin (Note: Carried out oceanographic research work during this period.)
December
Deployed at Auckland for training.
1 9 5 9
January to April
Deployed for training duties. Nominated for refit.
May to June
Under refit at Auckland.
July to November
On completion of post refit trials resumed training duties.
December
Routine docking for inspection of underwater fittings
1 9 6 0
January to September
Training duties in continuation including visit to Sydney.
October
Embarked RNZVR personnel for training and visited Ngapona.
November
Took part in Fleet exercises during which involved in collision with HM Submarine ANCHORITE.
December
Deployed for training based at Auckland. Nominated for harbour training.
1 9 6 1
Deployed for harbour training and paid off. After de-storing deployed for harbour training.
1 9 6 2 to 1 9 6 5
Harbour training in continuation
Nominated for withdrawal from use. De-stored and de-equipped. Placed on Sales List
F i n a l P ha s e
HMNZS KANIERE was sold for demolition in Hong Kong and towed to the breaker’s yard in 1966.
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HMNZS Mako (Q1183/P3551) is a former Harbour Defence Motor Launch (HDML) of the Royal New Zealand Navy. Commissioned in March 1943, the ship saw service in home waters during World War II. She was built by Madden and Lewis Company in Sausalito, California.
HMNZS Mako P3551 – credit this. It was taken by the late Bruce Nicol at Wellington on 14 October 1970.
Laid up 1945. Fishery protection 1946-72. Survey 1972-76, Wellington. Sold 1976.
Construction[edit]
In January 1942 the British Admiralty agreed to allocate HDMLs to the Royal New Zealand Navy, with 24 ordered in February 1942. However, only 22 were supplied, 12 by the United States under Lend-Lease and 10 from Britain. The number of ships supplied from British shipyards was reduced canceled after one of the HDMLs was lost when the ship carrying it was sunk by a U-boat. The vessels were finished between November 1942 and February 1943. Such was the speed at getting these vessels into service that sea and ASDIC trials were completed before armament was fitted. The HDMLs were then transported to New Zealand on various freighters. They were to replace the NAPS vessels and were deployed to Auckland and Wellington for anti-submarine duty.[1]
Operational history[edit]
HMNZS Mako entered service on 9 March 1943 as Q1183. Q1183 arrived in New Zealand on 18 January 1943 aboard SS Frank Joseph. She was based in Auckland with the 124th Motor Launch Flotilla from April 1943 before being transferred to the 125th Flotilla for service in Dunedin. In June 1945, Q1183 arrived in Auckland scheduled for paying off and disarming, and was laid up at Pine Island; the government initially intended to dispose of the ship as surplus to requirements but Q1183 was kept in operational reserve and returned to service. In November 1945, Q1183 was selected to support the Marine Department’s Fisheries Division patrols, and on 15 July 1946 Q1183 was recommissioned and for the next 28 years conducted patrols around Auckland and wider New Zealand waters. In 1948 the ship was renamed HMNZS Cook, then renamed HMNZS Maori in 1949. The RNZN also followed the Royal Navy and reclassified these ships from Harbour Defence Motor Launches to Seaward Defence Motor Launches.[1][2]
In March 1950, HMNZS Maori was renumbered from Q1183 to P3551. From 21 August 1950 until 26 January 1951 HMNZS Maori was temporarily decommissioned and assigned to the “Tamaki Run”, transporting men and supplies for the training base HMNZS Tamaki on Motuihe Island. Once she completed this service she resumed her fisheries patrols. In July 1955, P3551 received her final name, HMNZS Mako, the Maori word for shark. One of her significant voyages she completed in her service was a six-week tour in 1956 alongside one of her sister ships HMNZS Paea around small North Island ports. This was the first time a naval vessel had visited these ports in over 100 years. HMNZS Mako also participated in various other activities including being guard boats for royal tours and visiting warships, search and rescue and ferrying wildlife to rodent-free islands. One of her voyages she went as far south as Fiordland.[1]
Decommissioning and fate[edit]
In 1972, HMNZS Mako was transferred to the RNZNVR, before being decommissioned in 1975.
