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HMNZS Taupo is a Lake-class inshore patrol vessel of the Royal New Zealand Navy. 

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Navy, HMNZS Taupo, Devonport: Inshore Patrol Vessel (IPV) HMNZS Taupo on its delivery voyage from Whangarei to Devonport Navy Base, Auckland. Onboard was the Associate Defence Minister Hon Heather Roy. HMNZS Rotoiti sits in front of the Auckland Skyline.

Taupo was delivered to the Ministry of Defence on 28 May 2009 and commissioned into the Royal New Zealand Navy on 29 May 2009. Taupo is the third ship of this name to serve in the Royal New Zealand Navy and is named after Lake Taupo. Both Lake-class were sold to the Irish Naval Service in 2023 and delivered in May 2023. They are due in service sometime in 2024 after commission works are completed. Both are planned to be based on the east coast of Ireland, where sea conditions suit their capabilities.

HMNZS Pukaki is a Lake-class inshore patrol vessel inshore patrol boat of the Royal New Zealand Navy.

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 Pukaki was launched in Whangarei Harbour on 6 May 2008. Its primary duties included border and fisheries protection patrols, surveillance, boarding operations and search and rescue response.

Pukaki was the third ship of this name to serve in the Royal New Zealand Navy and is named after Lake Pukaki.

Pukaki was decommissioned at Devonport Naval Base on 17 October 2019. Regulatory changes in 2012 resulted in operating restrictions around speed and sea states being imposed on them. Subsequently the RNZN assessed them as no longer being suited to the heavy seas typically encountered off New Zealand and further afield.[2]

In 2022, Pukaki, along with her sister Rotoiti, was sold to Ireland for use by the Irish Naval Service.[3] Both ships were purchased by Irish Department of Defence for €26m and transported by the heavy lift transport ship Happy Dynamic.[citation needed] Arriving in Ireland in May 2023,[4] they were delivered to the Irish naval base at Haulbowline in Cork Harbour where they are due to undergo a refit before being used primarily for fishery protection patrols on Ireland’s east coast.

HMNZS Rotoiti was a Lake-class inshore patrol vessel of the Royal New Zealand Navy.

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These boats perform border and fishery protection patrols.

She was fitted out in Whangarei and on 20 November 2007 started contractor sea trials. After delays due to problems with gear and fittings, she was commissioned on 17 April 2009,[1] and arrived at the Devonport Naval Base for the first time on 24 April 2009. HMNZS Rotoiti was the first of her class to be commissioned in the Royal New Zealand Navy. Rotoiti was the third boat of this name to serve in the Royal New Zealand Navy and named after Lake Rotoiti.

Rotoiti was decommissioned at Devonport Naval Base on 17 October 2019. Regulatory changes in 2012 resulted in operating restrictions around speed and sea states being imposed on them. Subsequently, the RNZN assessed them as no longer being suited to the heavy seas typically encountered off New Zealand and further afield, for which Protector-class offshore patrol vessels were more suited.[2]

In 2022, Rotoiti, along with her sister Pukaki, was sold to Ireland for use by the Irish Naval Service.[3] The two vessels arrived in Ireland in May 2023.

HMNZS Hawea (P3571) is a Lake-class inshore patrol vessel of the Royal New Zealand Navy. 

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HMNZS Hawea is a Lake-class inshore patrol vessel of the Royal New Zealand Navy. Hawea was constructed between 2004 and 2007, and commissioned on 1 May 2009.[1] She performs border and fisheries protection patrols.

Hawea is the third ship of this name to serve in the Royal New Zealand Navy and is named after Lake Hāwea.

RNZ Navy vessel arrives with cadets

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By Laine Priestley

Inshore patrol vessel HMNZS Taupō enters the Otago Harbour Basin yesterday. On board are junior...

Inshore patrol vessel HMNZS Taupō enters the Otago Harbour Basin yesterday. On board are junior officers undertaking training. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH

The New Zealand Navy stopped in to Otago Harbour for a visit yesterday as part of a voyage around numerous ports in the country.

A New Zealand Defence Force spokesman said inshore patrol vessel HMNZS Taupō had junior officers aboard undertaking the at-sea component of their basic officer of the watch course.

“This is the first course for warfare officers after they graduate from junior officer common training.”

The course runs over 16 to 20 weeks and teaches warfare officers basic principles and processes of navigation and bridge watch-keeping.

On the bridge of HMNZS Taupō in Otago Harbour last night are (from left) naval cadets Mitchell...

On the bridge of HMNZS Taupō in Otago Harbour last night are (from left) naval cadets Mitchell Fox, 17, and Neeka Wilson, 16, and Sub-lieutenant Rowan Stone. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON

Navigation training is one of Taupō’s primary roles, alongside maritime security patrols, surveillance, boarding operations and search and rescue response, the spokesman said.

As part of the Dunedin visit, Taupō commanding officer Lieutenant Samara Mankelow will pay a courtesy visit to Dunedin’s mayor, and the crew will visit navy reserve unit HMNZS Toroa.

“Cadet Forces personnel will take tours of HMNZS Taupō and potential recruits were picked up by seaboat and delivered to the ship coming into harbour so they could ride in.

“This will be repeated in reverse when Taupo departs on Thursday”, the spokesman said.

https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/navy-vessel-arrives-cadets