Meet The Fleet
The RNZN’s fleet comprises nine modern, versatile ships that undertake a full range of maritime tasks from combat and peacekeeping operations to border patrol and support for other government agencies.
Our Mission - Advance New Zealand's interests from the sea
New Zealand has the fifth largest exclusive economic zone in the world and even though the RNZN is small in size, we operate across an enormous maritime area from Antarctica to the Middle East.
The fleet range from heavily armed 3600 ton frigates to 150 ton inshore patrol vessels and are capable of patrolling in areas including the harsh and cold Southern Ocean to the warmer seas of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
It’s a big job, but an important one. Ninety-nine percent of New Zealand’s exports travel by sea and it’s the Navy’s job to ensure our nation’s trade routes stay open.
The Fleet
The fleet is organised into four forces:
- Combat
- Support
- Patrol and
- Littoral Warfare.
The ship's in each force have specific roles and capabilities that contribute to the wider capability of the Navy and New Zealand Defence Force.
Combat Force
The Combat Force is comprised of two Anzac class frigates:
-
HMNZS TE KAHA and
-
HMNZS TE MANA.
The frigates provide combat capability and work with New Zealand’s friends and allies to maintain regional security. Ships of the Naval Combat and Support Forces regularly deploy to Asia and around the globe to work with our friends and allies. They are also capable of operating the Navy’s Kaman SH-2G(I) Super Seaprite helicopters.
HMNZS TE KAHA - F77
Description: An ANZAC class frigate which is one of the key fighting units of the RNZN.
Homeport: Napier
Armament: a 5" gun, vertical launch missile system, torpedoes and a close in weapon system for protection. When deployed each Ship will have a Super Seasprite helicopter embarked from 6 Squadron.
HMNZS TE MANA - F111
Description: An ANZAC class frigate which is one of the key fighting units of the RNZN.
Homeport: Tauranga
Armament: a 5" gun, vertical launch missile system, torpedoes and a close in weapon system for protection. When deployed each Ship will have a Super Seasprite helicopter embarked from 6 Squadron.
Support Force
The Support Force is comprised of a fleet:
- HMNZS CANTERBURY - amphibious and military sealift vessel
HMNZS CANTERBURY provides logistical and sealift capability for the Navy and New Zealand Defence Force, enabling New Zealand to respond to a wide range of emergency and disaster response situations at home and throughout the Asia and Pacific region.
AOTEAROA is the replacement tanker for ENDEAVOUR and is a 26,000 tonne tanker and replenishment ship. Learn more
MANAWANUI will replace the now decommissioned HMNZS MANAWANUI and HMNZS RESOLUTION. It will provide the New Zealand Government with the ability to conduct a range of specialist diving and hydrographic tasks at home and in the Pacific. Learn more
HMNZS CANTERBURY - L421
Description: Amphibious support and military sea lift vessel.
Homeport: Christchurch
Patrol Force
The Patrol Force is comprised of two Offshore Patrol (OPV) and four Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV):
-
HMNZS OTAGO
-
HMNZS WELLINGTON
-
HMNZS ROTOITI
-
HMNZS HAWEA
-
HMNZS PUKAKI
-
HMNZS TAUPO
As well as military tasks the ships of the Patrol Force undertake civilian-support tasks including border and fisheries patrols, search and rescue, and provide support for the Police, Civil Defence and the Department of Conservation.
Offshore Patrol Vessels
HMNZS OTAGO - P148
Description: Undertake long-range patrol around New Zealand, the Pacific and Southern Oceans.
Homeport: Dunedin
HMNZS WELLINGTON - P55
Description: Undertake long-range patrol around New Zealand, the Pacific and Southern Oceans.
Homeport: Wellington
Inshore Patrol Vessels
HMNZS ROTOITI - P3569
Description: Conduct border patrol, maritime surveillance and interdiction in support of civil agencies.
Homeport:
HMNZS HAWEA - P3571
Description: Conduct border patrol, maritime surveillance and interdiction in support of civil agencies..
Homeport: Greymouth/Westport
HMNZS PUKAKI - P3568
Description: Conduct border patrol, maritime surveillance and interdiction in support of civil agencies.
Homeport: Nelson
HMNZS TAUPO - P3570
Description: Conduct border patrol, maritime surveillance and interdiction in support of civil agencies.
Homeport: Whangarei
Littoral Warfare
HMNZS MATATAUA - LWU
Description: The purpose of the Littoral Warfare Unit (LWU) is to ensure access to and the use of harbours, inshore waters and associated coastal zones. The component parts of the LWU can be quickly assembled into a composite force and deployed by sea, land or air.
Homeport: Whakatane
Naval Aviation
RNZAF 6 Squadron - Seasprite
Description: Naval aviation comprises a mix of Navy and Air Force personnel who operate and maintain a fleet of ten Supper Seasprite SN-2G(I) helicopters, known as No 6 Squadron. No. 6 Squadron is based at RNZAF Base Auckland in Whenuapai, Auckland.
Establishments
The Royal New Zealand Navy follows the Royal Navy tradition of commissioning land naval bases as through they were ships. The administration structures that work for a ship work just as well for land establishments. For this reason, naval bases are sometimes referred to as stone frigates.
In earlier times or in wartime, naval bases actually were ships. HMS PHILOMEL was an older cruiser and functioned as a New Zealand's first naval training platform.
HMNZS PHILOMEL - Devonport Naval Base, Auckland
Description: HMNZS PHILOMEL is the name for Naval Support Services within Devonport Naval Base, which is responsible for the logistics and organisation of Naval personnel, and for any visits to the base by foreign ships.
PHILOMEL was the name of an old light cruiser assigned to the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy in 1921 as a training base. After the ship was decommissioned in 1947 the ship’s name transferred to the land base.
HMNZS WAKEFIELD - Naval Staff Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force, Wellington
Description: Formally known as HMNZS PHILOMEL II (1948-53) was renamed HMNZS WAKEFIELD in 1954. It is the name for Naval Staff within the Defence Headquarters, which is responsible for Naval Command and administration for naval personnel resident outside Greater Auckland.
Future Capability
The Navy is always planning for and introducing new capability. Some of the projects are to enhance the capability of existing ships, while others involve purchasing new ships and aircraft.