The Royal New Zealand Navy will continue its traditional involvement and support in Waitangi Day activities in the Bay of Islands this year.
The Navy is invited annually by the people of Tai Tokerau to attend Waitangi Day activities, and plays a major part in the commemorative ceremonies.
This year the Navy warship, HMNZS TE MANA, will anchor off Waitangi 5-6 February.
A Beat Retreat and sunset ceremony will take place at the Treaty Ground flagpole on Tuesday 5 February. A 100-man Royal Guard of Honour will conduct the ceremonial lowering of the white ensign, signifying the end of the day. This will be reviewed by the Governor General of New Zealand, His Excellency Lieutenant General the Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae.
The Navy Band, under the new Director, Lieutenant Commander Owen Clarke, will perform several public concerts in the region 2-6 February.
From the outset, Waitangi commemorations have included Naval involvement – firstly with Royal Navy ships and officers, and more latterly with the Royal New Zealand Navy, which first paraded at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in 1947. In 1990, the Navy was presented with a Charter recognising the strength of the relationship between the Navy and community in the region.
TE MANA is built to the German MEKO 200 Class design. Sections of the ship were built spearately (some in NZ) and then combined to produce the final product. A significant proportion of TE MANA’s internal equipment was built in New Zealand.
Specifications:
Armament:
Other: TE MANA carries one KAMAN SH-2G Super Seasprite helicopter that can be armed with torpedoes, depth charges and Maverick missiles.
The roles of the frigate include protecting New Zealand’s maritime resources; surveillance; Civil Defence; Search and Rescue; participation in UN peacekeeping missions; providing gunfire support to troops on the ground.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, January 31, 2013; Image: RNZN