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All RNZN/NZDF News Past and Present

HMNZS Aotearoa departs on resupply mission to Antarctica

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17 January, 2025

HMNZS Aotearoa, the Royal New Zealand Navy’s maritime sustainment vessel, is sailing to Antarctica to deliver food, supplies and engineering equipment for New Zealand and United States bases on the ice.

Commander Rob Welford, Aotearoa’s Commanding Officer, says he and his ship’s company are excited to be travelling to a part of the world few people get to experience.

He has served in the Royal Navy for 28 years and the Royal New Zealand Navy since 2014. He took command of Aotearoa in 2023 and last year he completed a four-month deployment through the Indo Pacific. 

Icebergs and Southern Ocean weather would be a new experience, he said.

“From a Commanding Officer’s perspective, this is a really different kind of marinership, and a very rewarding one. This is all about the weather. You’re aware of the Roaring Forties, the Furious Fifties and the Screaming Sixties – well, they are not called that for no good reason. Down there, the weather can be relentless.”

Aotearoa has departed from Devonport Naval Base this morning and will stop in Geelong, Australia before continuing to Antarctica.

HMNZS Aotearoa has departed Devonport Naval Base for Antarctica to deliver food, supplies and engineering equipment for New Zealand and United States basesAotearoa Photo 2

HMNZS Aotearoa has departed Devonport Naval Base for Antarctica to deliver food, supplies and engineering equipment for New Zealand and United States basesAotearoa Photo 3

HMNZS Aotearoa has departed Devonport Naval Base for Antarctica to deliver food, supplies and engineering equipment for New Zealand and United States basesScroll to previous imageScroll to next image

Aotearoa’s missions are part of the New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) support to Antarctica New Zealand programmes, which have been sustained since the 1970s using RNZAF C-130 Hercules and more latterly Boeing 757s, and in support of the Antarctica Joint Logistics Pool, made up of New Zealand, the United States of America, Italy and the Republic of Korea.

Aotearoa’ s first supply mission to Antarctica, which can only take place in summer, was in 2022, the first Royal New Zealand Navy resupply mission to Antarctica in more than 50 years.

As well as its resupply mission, Aotearoa is supporting scientific research.

Three scientists are tasked with running experiments for the Antarctic Science Platform (ASP) and Defence Science and Technology (DST).

DST research and programme lead Sally Garrett says their focus is safer navigation by measuring marine weather and sea ice.

“The use of Aotearoa greatly increases the extent of where science can be undertaken, including the deployment of robotic ocean sensors in the eastern regions of the Ross Sea.”

“These science activities complement the ASP voyage in NIWA’s research vessel RV Tangaroa, which is in Antarctic waters at the same time.”

Maritime Component Commander Commodore Shane Arndell says that supporting the Antarctica Joint Logistics Pool is an important role for the NZDF. 

“This is the sort of mission that Aotearoa was designed for, so we can ensure that New Zealand is a valuable partner in the Ross Sea region. We are very pleased to play our part through the Joint Logistics Pool and support Antarctica New Zealand and the scientific programmes being undertaken on this deployment.

 “It will be a challenging deployment, but one that the crew will remember for a life time.”

Commissioned in 2020, Aotearoa is a Polar Class 6 vessel, meaning it has a higher grade of steel plating to withstand cold temperatures, and thicker steel to protect its hull from ice. It has heating and other systems fitted to operate in temperatures down to minus 25 degrees Celsius. It is the largest ship our Navy has ever operated.

Fuel recovery underway at wreck of HMNZS Manawanui

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Fuel recovery from the wreck of the HMNZS Manawanui began today. (Source: NZDF)

The recovery of fuel from the wreck of the HMNZS Manawanui has begun off the coast of Samoa today.

The Navy vessel sank after it ran aground on a coral reef off the coast of Upolu and caught fire on October 6 last year. All 75 crew and passengers were safely evacuated.

An interim Court of Inquiry released on November 29 found that the direct cause of the grounding was determined to be a “series of human errors” which meant the ship’s autopilot was not disengaged when it should have been.

Remaining in autopilot resulted in the ship maintaining a course toward land until it grounded and stranded, the report read.

New Zealand salvage companies Pacific 7 Limited and Bay Underwater Services NZ Ltd have been tasked with the removal, recovery and disposal of fuel and other pollutants on board the vessel.

The barge Cronus over the wreck of the HMNZS Manawanui off the reef near Upolu Island.
The barge Cronus over the wreck of the HMNZS Manawanui off the reef near Upolu Island. (Source: NZDF)

A large quantity of automotive gas, oil, and other pollutants held on board would take a “number of weeks” to remove, said NZDF senior national representative for Operation Resolution Commodore Andrew Brown.

“I can report the salvors’ divers have begun the process of extracting fuel and other pollutants from the ship and transferring it into tank-tainers on the barge. As always, progress is dependent on favourable sea and weather conditions which the salvors monitor daily.”

Brown said the barge would periodically return to Apia to offload and store the contents of the tanks while the Government worked through the disposal processes.

“This stage of the fuel removal process is complex and technical and it is extremely important we do a careful and thorough job. While the salvors’ fuel recovery work is progressing, our NZDF staff continue to support sea water sample collection and monitoring above and around the Manawanui.”

Lockheed Martin Delivers Final Super Hercules to New Zealand Air Force

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The Royal New Zealand Air Force has received the fifth and final C-130J-30 Super Hercules from Lockheed Martin as part of a US foreign military sale to replace the service’s C-130H fleet.

It will be operated by the 40 Squadron at RNZAF Base Auckland, Whenuapai, where it will be deployed for moving troops and tactical equipment in support of domestic and overseas missions.

Lockheed handed over the first Super Hercules under the 1.5-billion-dollar ($844.2-million) program in August, the second and third in September, and the fourth in November.

C-130J Super Hercules. Photo: New Zealand Defence Force
C-130J Super Hercules planes. Photo: New Zealand Defence Force

“The arrival of the fifth Hercules is a significant milestone for the team, who have been working hard to bring all the aircraft home before Christmas – ahead of schedule, on budget and to specification,” New Zealand Capability Delivery Deputy Secretary Sarah Minson stated.

“From the moment the first C-130J arrived in September, the aircraft have been put to work and are already proving their value as a national asset.”

“They have made a number of successful flights to Antarctica, carrying cargo to support the work of the New Zealand and United States scientific research programmes at Scott Base and McMurdo Station. They have also made multiple flights to deliver mission critical supplies and personnel across New Zealand and the Pacific region.”

The completion of Wellington’s Super Hercules systems will be followed by the delivery of a flight simulator to RNZAF Base Auckland in 2025 that will help the fleet’s aircrew prepare for future transport flights.

Lockheed Martin’s C-130J-30

The C-130J-30 is a stretched version of Lockheed’s C-130J Super Hercules base hull model, adding 15 feet (5 meters) of length compared to its predecessor’s fuselage.

It is powered by four Rolls-Royce engines with about 4,600 horsepower each for a flight speed of 410 miles (660 kilometers) per hour, an altitude of 26,000 feet (7,925 meters), and a range of 2,100 nautical miles (2,417 miles/3,889 kilometers).

The aircraft can carry up to 128 troops or approximately 4,000 pounds (1,814 kilograms) of payload.

C-130J-30 Super Hercules transport aircraft
C-130J-30 Super Hercules transport aircraft. Photo: New Zealand Defence Force

Joe Mataele named RNZN Sailor of the Year

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Tuesday, December 3, 2024 – 16:28 – Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand

Flag Portrait of LMT(L) Joe Mataele, T1051577

Royal New Zealand Navy 2024 Sailor of the Year, Joe Mataele. Photo: RNZN.

Joe Mataele, a Leading Marine Technician (LMT) who grew up in Tonga, was named the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) 2024 Sailor of the Year.

LMT Mataele “is a highly respected engineer known for his motivation, problem-solving abilities, and a steadfast commitment to safety and continuous professional growth,” RNZN stated.

He is also a Basic Common Training instructor for RNZN newest aspiring sailors.

“LMT Mataele is an inspiring leader who lays a strong foundation in discipline, accountability, and teamwork, ensuring our recruits are prepared to meet the demands of naval service with confidence and resilience.”

“His guidance goes beyond technical skills, fostering a warrior mind-set and deep understanding of our core values. His professionalism, resilience, and unwavering dedication sets a very high benchmark for others to follow,” RNZN added.

Pacific Islands

Tonga

RNZN

Tongan overseas

Royal New Zealand Navy’s Sailor of the Year

HMNZS Tutira, ex-HMS Loch Morlich was a Loch-class frigate that never saw service with the Royal Navy.

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HMNZS Tutira re-fuelling from Bellona in Tasman Sea, 1949

Ordered during World War II, she saw service instead with the Royal Canadian Navy in the Battle of the Atlantic. She was named for Loch Morlich in Scotland. After the war she was returned to the Royal Navy and she was sold to the Royal New Zealand Navy and renamed Tutira.
Loch Morlich which was ordered from Swan Hunter on 13 February 1943. She was laid down 15 July 1943 and launched 25 January 1944. Upon completion she was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy and commissioned on 17 July 1944, at Wallsend-on-Tyne
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Loch_Morlich_(K517)