Skip to content

HDML – Q1191 – Kahawai 1 – P3553

The Royal New Zealand Naval vessel KAHAWAI makes her way into Greymouth on the west coast of the South Island of NZ. Built in the USA as a HDML in 1943 and served in the Royal NZ Navy during WW2. She is seen here while on Fisheries Patrol during the late 1960’s.

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

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.

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

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.

Q1191        P3553    was laid up in Auckland as a spare launch

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

In 1966 Q1191, P3553 was refitted and converted into a Fisheries Protection vessel and commissioned as H.M.N.Z.S. KAHAWAI. 

Left RNZN 1976. Said to be ashore at Kopu in 1984 for refitting

A team of New Zealand Army plant operators from 2 Engineer Regiment has carried out geographical surveys and soil and ground bearing testing, to assist the Department of Conservation in the assessment of the Kermadec Island’s airstrip.The Royal New Zealand Navy has recently returned from the islands, supporting Government agencies in resupply, conservation and maintenance tasks to Rangitāhua/ Raoul Island.

HMNZS Canterbury and a Navy Seasprite from No. 6 Squadron Royal New Zealand Air Force undertook Operation Havre, to help promote safety and security in the region, ensuring environmental stewardship for New Zealand.

Plant Troop SGT, SGT Brendon Clarke from 25 ESS, 2 ER, said the operation was a unique opportunity to conduct this type of recon and gain valuable training.

“Being dropped on to an isolated island, working through the mobilisation phase, incorporating ourselves into the Navy and organising ourselves in this environment was really valuable,” said SGT Clarke. The information collected will be used by DOC to assess the future of the historic airstrip.

The tests conducted included gauging the compaction of the soil on the airstrip, testing the density and moisture of the ground and using laser surveying to measure the grades of the airstrip.

LCPL Dylan White said the experience of using these survey methods in the island’s unique environment would help him in future deployments.

“It’s the first time I’ve used these skills to survey an existing airfield. I’ve only ever used the survey methods and equipment for roads so it’s good to use it in this environment. It would be good to use this experience in future deployments or HADR in the Pacific Islands,” says LCPL White.

This was the first opportunity for SPR Te Anini O Rongo Pardoe to go on operation. “I’m learning about all the equipment on this operation. It’s giving me a great insight into my future course and I feel it will help me get ahead,” said SPR Pardoe.

“It’s also my first time on a Navy ship so it’s good mixing with other personnel from other Services, working with civilians, iwi and it’s great to be on a tri-Service operation for my first time away,” he says.

SGT Clarke said it was operations such as this, that set the Army apart.

“The Army gives you the opportunity to go to unique places and gives you rare opportunities, such as this. It’s really a great place to be,” he said.

HDML – Q1188 – Takapu I (P3556)

HMNZS Takapu

HMNZS Takapu (Q1188/P3556)
Commissioned 22 May 1943 as Q1188
Survey Equipment: Fitted to Q1188 when rebuilt 1946-50
The USN supervised the construction and then took charge of the finished HDML for allocation to the Allied navy. Both Q1187(Tarapunga) & Q1188(Takapu) were shipped as deck cargo from Vancouver aboard SS Kootenay Park and arrived at Wellington on 30 April 1943. There they were unloaded by floating crane and underwent full commissioning trials.

HDMLQ1188 joined the 125th Motor Launch Flotilla based in Wellington. They then carried out routine patrols in their respective areas through to 1945. As the war came to an end in 1945 the launches were concentrated at Auckland to pay off.
Q1188 had been cannibalised for parts to keep the other HDMLs that were in service so she had to be rebuilt. This was completed in February 1950 and she was commissioned as SML 1188 and was sent to Wellington in March. After arriving in Wellington, she began a survey of Cook Strait. In April she was given the pennant number P3556.

HMNZS Takapu – taken during Queens Visit, Waitangi Day 1963


From then until 1979 both vessels carried out surveys right across the New Zealand coastline mostly by themselves or as a pair. They would also work with HMNZS Lachlan & Monowai.
In November 1979 Takapu arrived at Auckland for paying off and was decommissioned in December.
Renamed: Takapu as Kahawai 1980

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

HMNZS Kahawai, ex HMNZS Takapu looking forlorn – Philomel in the background – Oct 30, 1982

Ex HMNZS Kahawai/ Takapu and being refitted for civilian use

Ex HMNZS Kahawai/ Takapu comes to an ignominious end in Cook Strait

HDML – Q1187 – Tarapunga I (P3566)

HMNZS Tarapunga Ex Q1187 – arrives in New Zealand

Everett Marine Ways Inc. Everett, Washington. (Contract Number: D.A.N.O.B. 586)

This Company also built four craft. They were Q1187, Q1188, Q1189, Q1190. They were shipped to Wellington, N.Z. from Vancouver as deck cargo on the ship Kootenay Park arriving Wellington on the 30th April 1943.

          Q1187 was commissioned on the 13th May 1943.

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.

HMNZS Q1186, HMNZS Paea Ex Q1184, HMNZS Tarapunga Ex Q1187 alongside HMS Philomel – the original Philomel

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.

Between 1947 and 1948 four were placed for tender. They were,

          Q1187 sold and renamed COAST GUARD CUTTER No 1.

At the same time Q1188 and Q1187(ex-Coast Guard Cutter No 1)  the two coastal survey launches were fitting out for their new roles . They didn’t get Radar or lattice masts, but were fitted with modern Echo Sounding equipment.

          Q1188 was given a new pennant number P3556 and was commissioned H.M.N.Z.S. TAKAPU (Gannet).

HMNZS Tarapunga and Takapu SML’s parked up alongside Mothership Monowai

          Q1187 given the pennant number P3566 and was commissioned H.M.N.Z.S TARAPUNGA (Black Backed Gull)   

COASTAL SURVEY DUTIES

Q1188        H.M.N.Z.S.  TAKAPU               P3556

Q1187        H.M.N.Z.S.  TARAPUNGA         P3566

In 1979 Q1187, P3566 H.M.N.Z.S. TARAPUNGA one of the Survey S.D.M.L. was taken off survey duties, refitted and converted, had a lattice mast and radar fitted, similar to the Fisheries vessels, recommissioned, renamed H.M.N.Z.S. MAKO and handed over to the R.N.Z.N.V.R. Division at Wellington.


HMNZS Mako Ex HMNZS Tarapunga

September 1983, Q1187, P3566, H.M.N.Z.S. MAKO ex TARAPUNGA, R.N.Z.N.V.R. Division Wellington Stripped and declared surplus.

RIMPAC 2024 Sports Competitions – KD Lekiu (FFG30) and Royal New Zealand Navy Polar-class auxiliary ship HMNZS Aotearoa (A11

Sailors from Royal Malaysian Navy Lekiu-class guided missile frigate KD Lekiu (FFG30) and Royal New Zealand Navy Polar-class auxiliary ship HMNZS Aotearoa (A11) participate in a volleyball tournament during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, June 28. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jaimar Carson Bondurant)