Taranaki locals will get the opportunity to get on board the Royal New Zealand Navy’s newest and biggest ship this weekend after it arrives in Port Taranaki for a week-long stay.
HMNZS Aotearoa will arrive at 9.30am on Wednesday for her first visit to her ceremonial home port.
She is the largest ship ever commissioned for the Navy at 173.2m and 26,000 ton and will support combat operations and training missions around the world, as well as delivering humanitarian aid and disaster relief when called upon.
To mark her arrival, the public are invited to join the festivities at Puke Ariki Landing on Friday morning for a free BBQ, live entertainment and children’s activities.
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The festivities will follow a formal welcome to the city, firstly from Ngati te Whiti, before Mayor Neil Holdom addresses the ship’s company and presents Aotearoa’s Commanding Officer Captain Simon Rooke with the City Charter.
“It’s been four years since we heard the fantastic news that HMNZS Aotearoa would have a Taranaki base following our long and successful association with her predecessor HMNZS Endeavour and HMNZS Taranaki before that,” Holdom said in a statement.
The ship’s company will be given permission to parade through New Plymouth.
Key timings for Friday's Charter Parade for HMNZS Aotearoa
- 10am – Powhiri
- 11am – Charter Parade formalities commence at Puke Ariki Landing with dignitaries, Ship’s Company and the RNZ Navy Band
- 11.25am – Parade forms and commences
- 11.45am – Parade dismisses
- 11.45am – Public Event commences
- 1pm – Event concludes
(In the case of wet weather the parade will be cancelled and the official formalities will take place in the Council chamber.)
A public open day will be held on Saturday, April 24, between 11am and 2.30pm, and people are welcomed to take a tour of the vessel.
Ashley McDonald, the head of operations at Port Taranaki, said it was an honour and thrill to have the HMNZS Aotearoa visit.
“Aotearoa is the most high-tech ship the RNZN has operated and, at 173m long, is the largest-ever ship in the navy’s fleet, so she will look very impressive berthed at Port Taranaki,” McDonald said in a statement.
The public are encouraged to head along to the lee breakwater and Ngāmotu Beach on Wednesday to welcome the ship in with signs and waves.
On Saturday, tours of the ship will start and end at the east gate, on Ocean View Pde near the New Plymouth Yacht Club.
Buses will take groups to and from the vessel, and people are asked to wear sensible, covered footwear.
Port Taranaki apologised that the ship has narrow hallways and stairwells so was not practical for people in wheelchairs or who have limited mobility.
The visit will include Anzac Day celebrations and other events around the region.
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