As HMNZS Aotearoa entered her home port for the first time, Steven Wereta watched the New Plymouth coastline with growing anticipation – the vessel was entering his home, too.
The 20-year-old is the only crew member of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s newest and largest ship to hail from its ceremonial home of Taranaki.
“I’m glad to be going home with this ship,” Wereta said. “It’s a real privilege.”
As the 173-metre ship got closer to Port Taranaki on Wednesday morning for its week-long visit, a crowd of people could be seen waving from the lee breakwater, while rows of cars filled the parks near Ngāmotu Beach.
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One of those cars would have been owned by Wereta’s family.
“I’m trying to keep it in because I’m in the bridge,” he said, standing amid the quiet area where the navigational decisions are made.
Wereta grew up in South Taranaki, went to Tawhiti Primary School and Hāwera intermediate and high schools, and was a swimming champ in his teenage years.
He took the opportunity to leave the “small town” scene as soon as he could and has “loved” his decision to join the navy.
Wereta is an ordinary rate logistic supply specialist who works mainly in distribution.
He said in the two years of his career, being on his first ship as it sailed into his home was the highlight.
“It’s got to be this – and going to Hāwera for Anzac Day, standing in front of my family and friends,” Wereta said.
“I won’t ever get over that.”
Lieutenant commander, and second in charge, Nikki Fox, said she’d had a lot of high points in her 25 years in the navy, and Friday’s charter parade, where the ship is to be formally welcomed to New Plymouth, will be one of them.
“It’s a once in a lifetime thing,” Fox, who calls Wellington home, said. “We get the feeling New Plymouth is pretty excited to see us."
It took just one trip as a young sea cadet out on the now-decommissioned HMNZS Endeavour, which also had New Plymouth as its ceremonial home port, for Fox to decide she wanted to join the navy.
“It’s just such a cool lifestyle,” Fox said. “You get so much out of it.”
At 43, the mother-of-three is the oldest female on board, but she doesn’t let that bother her.
She said it’s “just cool” being on board the 26,000 tonne ship, which was arriving in New Plymouth after three-day voyage from Devonport, Auckland.
Giving a tour of the vessel, Fox points out most of its features are a luxury compared to older ships in the fleet.
There are still plenty of stairs, which she guesses would work out about half the Auckland Sky Tower in total, and slim hallways with heavy doors.
She explains that HMNZS Aotearoa is a supply ship. It can carry 11-million litres of fuel and is designed to help out other vessels. It has a range of 6,750 nautical miles.
There is a core crew of about 65, but can hold 100 if need be, and everyone on board has a role.
Many members of the crew are young - in their early 20s - and a high number of them are female.
Commanding officer, captain Simon Rooke, who has been in the navy more than 30 years, had been looking forward to bringing Aotearoa home, and being part of the ceremony.
“It’s an incredible privilege getting her into Ngāmotu and bringing her there,” Rooke said.
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Locals will have the opportunity to tour HMNZS Aotearoa on Monday, April 26, between 11am and 2.30pm. Tours 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.
The open day was originally planned for Saturday but has been changed because of sea conditions.
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