HMNZS Ikatere - not a well known vessel in the RNZN but was used during WW2 as an examination vessel and a dan layer - below are some photos of Ikatere which was once owned by and ex matelot who some will know of.

Ikatere towing lifeboats - poss from Niagra sinking - can anyone verify please?

The IKATERE  in Auckland ? 1940-50s

 Some notes on Ikatere - 

Ex-HMNZS Ikatere -  During October 1943 the short lines of mines in the minor channels on either side of Rakino Island in the Hauraki Gulf were swept by the Thomas Currell and Kaiwaka, the small motor-vessel

HMNZS Ikatere acted as danlayer. 

All but one of the twenty-two mines laid in March 1942 were accounted for. The missing one was probably the failure reported during the laying of the Hauraki Gulf defensive minefields.

Mr. Edward Carlyon Vellenoweth, Honorary Temporary

Lieutenant, granted the rank of Temporary Lieutenant (to

serve under T. 124 X Agreement), to date 1st November,

1941, and appointed H.M.N.Z.S. "Philomel" additional,

for H.M.N.Z.S. "Ikatere," to date 1st November, 1941.

Appointment as Honorary Temporary Lieutenant terminated,

to date 31st October, 1941. 

History of Minesweepers during WW2 here http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Navy-c18.html via John Currin (JC - Ex-RNZN) (https://goo.gl/QvDmVT)

HMNZS Ikatere - The Marine Department itself was

able to support only a minimal programme of investigation into marine

fisheries. Since 1947 the department had operated the first full-time

research ship in New Zealand, the 19-m trawler lkatere. Apart from

the occasional emergency use of naval vessels, no other ship was available to Government for marine research.