HMS Achilles alongside Aotea Quay, Wellington, in the late 1930s. Launched in 1932, the cruiser joined the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy in 1936.8 June 20248 June 2024by John Following the formal establishment of the Royal New Zealand Navy in October 1941, the ship became HMNZS Achilles. Share this:PostEmailRedditShare on TumblrBlueskyLike this:Like Loading...