HMS Tamar returns to New Zealand to visit windiest city in the world

Imogen Rogers – 23rd August 2024 at 12:00pm

HMS Tamar arrived in the New Zealand capital following exercises with the Royal Australian Air Force (Picture: HMS Tamar)

HMS Tamar announced her arrival in New Zealand on social media with the Māori-language greeting ‘Kia ora!’, sharing pictures of the vessel coming alongside in Wellington – the windiest city in the world. 

The Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel is deployed to the Indo-Pacific and has worked with the New Zealand Defence Force on several occasions, such as tackling illegal fishing in Fiji.

She and her sister ship, HMS Spey, are on a​ five-year deployment to the Indo-Pacific region as part of the Royal Navy and UK’s commitment to the region.

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Iona Thomas, the British High Commissioner to New Zealand, said: “The UK and New Zealand’s relationship is incredibly close when it comes to defence and security and it’s been wonderful to see HMS Tamar in the Pacific, and particularly, working closely with a Royal New Zealand Navy team to make sure they are keeping waters safe.”

On Saturday, whilst docked in Queens Wharf, the ship will open her gangway to allow members of the public on board.

HMS Tamar’s arrival in the New Zealand capital comes after the ship took part in a long-range training exercise in the middle of the Pacific alongside the Royal Australian Air Force.

Before that she visited Vanuatu, an 80-plus island archipelago, where the crew helped the South Pacific nation mark the 44th anniversary of its independence. They welcomed visitors aboard and carried out work helping the Ministry of Health in the village of Pango.

The vessel can perform a variety of roles, from intercepting drug-traffickers and smugglers to protecting UK territorial waters and providing humanitarian assistance in the wake of a disaster.

HMS Spey visited New Zealand last year but was greeted slightly differently. 

Members of the Royal New Zealand Navy performed the traditional Māori war dance, otherwise known as the Haka, for the UK crew as they arrived at Devonport Naval Base on Auckland’s North Shore.

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