New Zealand Navy frigate returns from six-month mission

Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS Te Kaha returned to her homeport at Devonport Naval Base after almost six months of operations across the Asia-Pacific region.

As the frigate approach the base, Te Kaha fired a 17-gun salute to the Chief of Navy who replied with a 7-gun salute from the shore.

Te Kaha and her crew returned home after visiting 10 countries and spending 171 days at sea, covering a distance of 32,551 nautical miles.

Te Kaha deployed in February this year together with replenishment tanker HMNZS Endeavour. The tanker returned to New Zealand earlier, completing her last operational deployment on June 13.

During their deployment, the two ships took part in the Republic of Singapore Navy’s first ever International Maritime Review (IMR) in May, while Te Kaha joined the Japanese, Canadian and U.S. Navy ships and aircraft for Exercise Pacific Guardian in June.

Te Kaha also supported U.S. Navy operations after the collision of U.S. Navy destroyer USS Fitzgerald. Te Kaha’s role was to contribute to the security and protection of the Nimitz carrier strike group.

Te Kaha has also visited ports and exercised with the navies of a number of Asian countries, including China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and South Korea.