HMNZS Aotearoa departs on resupply mission to Antarctica

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 bases

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

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.

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Fuel recovery underway at wreck of HMNZS Manawanui

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. (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.”

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Lockheed Martin Delivers Final Super Hercules to New Zealand Air Force

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 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. Photo: New Zealand Defence Force

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Navy reserve unit celebrates 100 years – HMNZS Ngapona

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

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.

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Hulk of HMNZS Sanda, HMNZS Humphrey barely visible to the right.HMNZS Sanda was sold to G A Sparrey August 1958. Broken up at the Lighter basin in Freemans bay, 1959 and hulk was used as a shingle bin near Waikauri Bay, Takatu along with Humphrey. Hulk towed back to Auckland 1970 and scrapped.

HMNZS Sanda – Hauraki Gulf 1944

HMNZS SANDA – breakers yard

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Joe Mataele named RNZN Sailor of the Year

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

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