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Navy reserve unit celebrates 100 years – HMNZS Ngapona

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Reservists, colleagues and sailors past and present celebrated the centenary of Auckland-based reserve unit HMNZS Ngapona over November 22-24.

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04 December, 2024

Events included a pōwhiri at Te Taua Moana, base tours, a Beat the Retreat ceremony and reception at the Navy Museum, and a memorial service at St Christopher’s Chapel.

Ngapona’s Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Chetan Sawyer said it was an “awesome” weekend, following on from Ngapona’s public-facing highlights of the Whangārei Maritime Festival in October.

“The whole weekend was amazing, but the combined service and ‘end of year function’ was a real highlight of the weekend,” he said. “Everyone was in a really good mood and there was some fantastic humour.”

A particular item of nostalgia was visits to ex-RNZN Harbour Defence Motor Launch (HDML) ‘Paea’, now in private ownership. Ngapona’s divisional coxswain Chief Petty Officer Combat System Specialist Shane Kennedy and relief coxswain Petty Officer Naval Policeman Mike ‘Buck’ Taylor helped crew the boat from Whangārei to a mooring in Bayswater, North Shore where it was made available for viewing.

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According to the Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy, the New Zealand Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve was established in October 1924, based in Auckland. It was renamed the Auckland Division in 1928, in keeping with the creation of Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin Divisions.

In October 1941 all Divisions were renamed as Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve. At this point the Divisions were not active; all personnel were mobilised as part of the war effort.

In November 1951, the Division was commissioned as a ship: HMNZS Ngapona. The ship’s name is taken from a Māori proverb relating to the three peaks of Rangitoto. The ship’s badge denotes the kaka, a native bird that was originally found on Rangitoto. The ship’s motto is “we serve together”.

Ngapona moved from its long-time position in St Mary’s Bay in 2007 and is now located in within Devonport Naval Base.

A popular souvenir for the centenary was Ngapona’s Centenary challenge coin. Ngapona’s own Lieutenant Commander Graeme ‘Frosty’ Frost designed the coin based on the ship’s crest. It quickly sold out.

HDML – Q1193 – Tamure (P3555)

Read full post here – https://rnznships.com/1479


HMNZS TAMURE – P3555

The H.M.N.Z.S. Tamure coming into berth at Port Lyttelton with two sailors making preparations. Tamure is a 72 foot long motor launch built in 1942
Date 1970-09-12

Gray Harbour Ship Building Co – Aberdeen, Grays Harbour – Washington – Contract Number D.A.N.O.B.S. 587)

The four built by this Company were shipped to Auckland N.Z. from Vancouver on the Mt Robson Park. They were Q1191, Q1192, Q1193, Q1194. They arrived in Auckland on the 25th August 1843, all these craft were commissioned together on the 28th September 1943

Ten H.D.M.L. were retained by the R.N.Z.N. were,

          Q1183, Q1184, Q1188, Q1190, Q1191, Q1192, Q1193, Q1194, Q1348, Q1350

These ten  H.D,M.L. were reclassified as S.D.M.L. (Seaward Defense Motor Launch) in the mid 1950’s and were used in various roles.

Q1193 which was the Fijian Naval Volunteer Reserve S.D.M.L. Named H.M.F.S. VITI based in Suva was sailed to New Zealand when the Fijian Reserve was disbanded, She was crewed with volunteers from H.M.N.Z.S. ROYALIST and escorted to Auckland by H.M.N.Z.S. KANIERE. in 1959. Refitted and given the pennant number P3555 and handed to the Auckland R.N.Z.N.V.R. as a replacement S.D.M.L. for Q1194 Renamed Ngapona (II) in 1958. Survey 1959-68, Auckland. Sold 3/73.

Served in Fiji (RFNVR) 1955-59

R.N.Z.N.V.R. VESSELS NOW NAMED AFTER THEIR DIVISIONS

Q1193        P3561        Auckland Division           H.M.N.Z.S. Ngapona 1959

Also, in 1966 it was decided to refit and convert the four R.N.Z.N.V.R.  S.D.M/Ls the same as the Fisheries Protection vessels, so they could be supplemented in the Fisheries Protection role in their respective areas. They were also given fish names. In January 1967 the refits were started and by the end of 1967 all craft had been completed.

Q1193, P3561 Auckland Division, H.M.N.Z.S. NGAPONA – now  H.M.N.Z. S TAMURE.

HMNZS Tamure/Ngapona Flotilla of small ships against the backdrop of Rangitoto welcoming the arrival of the Chilean Navy training ship Esmeralda to Auckland. HMNZS Ngapona P3555 (later renamed Tamure) bottom left, the Stanley Bay ferry launch Aotearoa II top left, and the stern of the Navy tug Arataki extreme right.
Attribution
acknowledge Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections
152800010
https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/90662/

Left RNZN 1973 Sold for charter work. Sank at Tutukaka 1982. Salvaged. Rebuilt as launch Tamure 1987.

Possibly at Te Atutu. Now located at a marine yard in Kopu, Thames

HMNZS Tamure/Ngapona
HMNZS Tamure/Ngapona

HDML – Q1192 – Maroro (3554)

HMNZS Maroro – P3554 Maroro

Gray Harbour Ship Building Co – Aberdeen, Grays Harbour – Washington – (Contract Number D.A.N.O.B.S. 587)

The four built by this Company were shipped to Auckland N.Z. from Vancouver on the Mt Robson Park. They were Q1191, Q1192, Q1193, Q1194. They arrived in Auckland on the 25th August 1843, all these craft were commissioned together on the 28th September 1943

Sixteen H.D.M.L purchased in the United States on lend Lease were commissioned between the 9th March 1943 and 27 March 1944.

They were grouped and operated as the 124th and 125th Flotillas. The 124th based in Auckland and the 125th at Wellington.

From the archive: Image taken at Devonport Naval Base during WW2 shows a group of Harbour Defence Motor Launches (HDML) with HMNZS Philomel she was used as a patrol launch base from late 1942 to 1945.
L-R: Q1184 – HMNZS Paea, Q1194 – HMNZS Ngapona, Q1192 – HMNZS Maroro, Q1193 – HMNZS Tamure, HMNZS Philomel

These 72Ft craft were equipped with Depth Charges and were to maintain Anti-Submarine inside the Mine Fields and Indicator Loops

The 124th Flotilla patrolled the Anti-Submarine fixed defenses in Auckland which were commissioned as EMU and PUNA.

Emu Anti-Submarine Fixed Defence Station was situated on Motutapu Island in the approaches to Auckland and administered by the Commanding Officer H.M.N.Z. S. PHILOMEL.

PUNA Anti-Submarine Fixed Defence Station was situated at Takapuna Head, Auckland and was also administered by the Commanding Officer H.M.N.Z. S. PHILOMEL

124th FLOTILLA AUCKLAND AREA

Because of the late commissioning of the Anti-Submarine Fixed Defenses at Worser Bay, the following H.D.M.L. were sailed to Auckland from Wellington on the 16th May 1943 via Gisborne, arriving in Auckland on the 20th May 1943.

Q1192 Maroro P3554 and Q1193 Tamure P3555 in Gisborne, coming from Wellington and heading to Auckland

Q1183, Q1184, Q1185, Q1186, Q1187 were the Five designated and they joined up with Q1191, Q1192, Q1193, Q1194, thus collectively making up the 124th Flotilla.

By December 1945 all 16 H.D.M.L. were in Auckland paying off and were subsequently laid up at the Greenhithe Trot, until the Lend Lease transactions were settled.

Ten H.D.M.L. retained by the R.N.Z.N. were,

          Q1183, Q1184, Q1188, Q1190, Q1191, Q1192, Q1193, Q1194, Q1348, Q1350

By 1964 H.M.N.Z, S. TAMAKI on Motuihe Island had closed down and relocated to Ft. CAUTLEY, Devonport. This shift made the Three Tamaki Trams surplus to requirements. Two of these S.D.M.L. were selected for fitting out as Fisheries Protection Vessels. They were Q1349, P3565 and Q1192, P3554.

 Q1192, P3554 was commissioned H.M.N.Z.S. MARORO (Flying Fish)

FISHERY PROTECTION DUTIES

          QII83          P3551        H.M.N.Z.S. MAKO

          QII84          P3552        H.M.N.Z.S. PAEA

          QII85          P3567        H.M.N.Z.S. MANGA

QI349         P3565        H.M.N.Z.S. HAKU

QII92          P3554        H.M.N.Z.S. MARORO

Q1191 Kahawai I (P3553) – Q1192 Maroro (P3554) – Q1349 Haku (P3565) – Q1183 Mako (P3551)

Left RNZN 1972. Went to Fiji as Viti 1972. Wrecked near Lautoka 1982