HMNZS Taupo toughs it out as weather tests Navy trainees

Last month’s red wind warning meant an extended stay in Wellington but not a respite in training for HMNZS Taupo’s trainee watchkeepers.

17 November, 2025

The vessel is two-thirds of the way through its Officer of the Watch ‘Bravos’ commitment, where alternating cohorts of junior warfare officers undertake their sea phase over 16 days, having done the hard yards on the simulator and the coursework at the Navigation Training School.

The latest cohort brought Taupo to Wellington just as an extreme weather system was making itself felt across New Zealand. The initial plan was to arrive early in the week, depart and return, with the trainees undertaking pilotage and navigation training.

However, the deteriorating conditions that kept many Wellingtonians at home meant Taupo’s team opted for a sheltered extended stay in the capital.

Flexibility is a must for naval operations, says Lieutenant Commander Toby Mara, Taupo’s Commanding Officer, especially with a classic Windy Wellington welcome.

“We were handling 50 knots in the Cook Strait and that provided some sporting conditions for entry into Wellington. Taupo has a good power-to-weight ratio and can control its heading quite well, so while the conditions were quite exciting for the students, the more experienced members of the team were confident the ship could handle it.”

Bumpy conditions heading south to Wellington (left), 0.5 calibre training aboard HMNZS Taupo (middle) and Taupo at anchor near Motuihe Island (right).

While it did mean a change of schedule, the team were still able conduct some bumpy pilotage training in a blustery Wellington Harbour during the week.

Earlier in the month Taupo started its latest sea phase from Devonport with an unusual event – operating in company with ROKS Hansando, a visiting helicopter training ship of the Republic of Korea Navy.

Taupo had entered Auckland harbour to ‘escort’ ROKS Hansando out – something that the host nation would typically do on the way into port, but due to Taupo’s availability was not achieved until the exit.

“It’s such a great opportunity to work with another nation. It’s amazing to see that even with a possible language barrier, our communications methods still stand up and we can conduct manoeuvres together.”

HMNZS Taupo escorts Republic of Korean Navy ship Hasando out of Waitemata Harbour.

Variety – and weather – defines Taupo’s vigorous training schedule around New Zealand’s coastline and ports.

Pilotage in and out of Auckland is standard, but previous cohorts this year have conducted training in the Hauraki Gulf, visited Opua in the Bay of Islands, undertaken confined waters navigation (pilotage) through the Motukawao Island group on the western side of the Coromandel and undertaken in-company serials with HMNZS Canterbury.

After Wellington, Taupo encountered Sea State 5 conditions with large beam seas, meaning the ship had to zig-zag up the coast.

“Once again, enriching for new members of the team. The navigation plan had the ship sheltering in Hawke Bay while the worst of the weather passed over the country. We had a stunning anchorage in Anaura Bay (Gisborne District) before heading around East Cape and heading to Auckland. After a weekend break we’ll finish the sea phase – a busy end of year for the Navy’s smallest ship!”

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