Royal New Zealand Navy
Encyclopedia
The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) (Maori
: Te Taua Moana o Aotearoa, "The Sea Army of New Zealand") is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force
. The fleet currently consists of twelve ships and five naval helicopters.
Abel Tasman
was attacked by Māori in war waka
off the northern tip of the South Island
in December 1642.
The New Zealand Navy did not exist as a separate military force until 1941. The association of the Royal Navy
with New Zealand began with the arrival of Lieutenant (later Captain) James Cook
in 1769, who completed two subsequent journeys to New Zealand in 1773 and 1777. Occasional visits by Royal Navy ships were made from the late 18th century until the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi
in 1840. William Hobson
, a crucial player in the drafting of the Treaty, was in New Zealand as a captain in the Royal Navy. The signing of the Treaty of Waitangi made New Zealand a colony in the British Empire
, so the defence of the coastline became the responsibility of the Royal Navy. That role was fulfilled until World War I
, and the Royal Navy also played a part in the New Zealand Wars
: for example, a gunboat shelled fortified Māori pā
from the Waikato River in order to defeat the Māori King Movement
.
HMS New Zealand
for the Royal Navy, which saw action throughout World War I
in Europe. The passing of the Naval Defence Act 1913 created the New Zealand Naval Forces
, still as a part of the Royal Navy, and from 1921 to 1941 the force was known as the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy
. The first purchase by the New Zealand government for the New Zealand Naval Forces was the cruiser
HMS Philomel
, which escorted New Zealand land forces to occupy the German colony of Samoa
in 1914. Philomel saw further action under the command of the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean Sea
, the Red Sea
, and the Persian Gulf
.
Between World War I and World War II
, the New Zealand Division operated 14 ships, including the cruisers HMS Achilles
and HMS Leander
, and the minesweeper HMS Wakakura
.
From 1919/1921 to October 1940, the Royal Navy formation around New Zealand was the New Zealand Station
, sometimes rendered New Zealand Squadron.
When Britain
went to war against Germany in 1939, New Zealand promptly declared war also. The New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy became the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) from 1 October 1941, in recognition of the fact that the naval force was now largely self-sufficient and independent of the Royal Navy. Ships thereafter were prefixed HMNZS (His/Her Majesty's New Zealand Ship).
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participated in the first major naval battle of World War II
, the Battle of the River Plate
off the River Plate estuary
between Argentina
and Uruguay
, in December 1939. Achilles and two other cruisers, and , were in an operation that forced the crew of the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee to scuttle her rather than face the loss of many more German seamen's lives. This decision apparently infuriated Hitler
. Achilles moved to the Pacific, and was working with the United States Navy
(USN) when damaged by a Japanese bomb off New Georgia
. Following repair, she served alongside the British Pacific Fleet
until the war's end.
escorted the New Zealand Expeditionary Force
to the Middle East in 1940, and was then deployed in the Mediterranean Sea
, the Red Sea
, and the Indian Ocean
. Leander was subjected to air and naval attack from Axis
forces, conducted bombardments, and escorted convoys. In February 1941, Leander sank the Italian auxiliary cruiser Ramb I in the Indian Ocean. In 1943, after serving further time in the Mediterranean, Leander returned to the Pacific Ocean
. She assisted in the destruction of the Japanese cruiser Jintsu
and being seriously damaged by torpedoes during the Battle of Kolombangara
. The extent of the damage to Leander saw her docked for repairs until the end of the war.
As the war progressed, the size of the RNZN greatly increased, and by the end of the war there were over 60 ships in commission. These ships participated as part of the British and Commonwealth
effort against the Axis
in Europe, and against the Japanese in the Pacific. They also played an important role in the defence of New Zealand, from German raiders
, especially when the threat of invasion from Japan appeared imminent in 1942. Many merchant ships were requisitioned and armed for help in defence. One of these was , which saw action against the Japanese submarine I-20 off Fiji
in 1942. In 1941–1942, it was decided in an agreement between the New Zealand and United States governments that the best role for the RNZN in the Pacific was as part of the United States Navy
, so operational control of the RNZN was transferred to the South West Pacific Area command
, and its ships joined United States 7th Fleet
taskforces.
In 1943, the light cruiser was transferred to the RNZN as HMNZS Gambia. In November 1944, the British Pacific Fleet
, a joint British Commonwealth taskforce, was formed, based in Sydney, Australia. Most RNZN ships were transferred to the BPF, including Gambia and Achilles. They took part in the Battle of Okinawa
and operations in the Sakishima Islands
, near Japan. In August 1945, HMNZS Gambia was New Zealand's representative at the surrender of Japan
.
_alongside_uss_abraham_lincoln_(cvn_72),_30_july,_2008.jpg)
RNZN ships participated in the Korean War
, Malayan Emergency
, and the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation
. In the past three decades, the RNZN has operated in the Middle East a number of times. RNZN ships played a role in the Iran–Iraq War, aiding the Royal Navy in protecting neutral shipping in the Indian Ocean. Frigates were also sent to participate in the first Gulf War
, and more recently Operation Enduring Freedom. The RNZN has played an important part in conflicts in the Pacific as well. Naval forces were utilised in the Bougainville
, Solomon Islands
and East Timor
conflicts of the 1990s. The RNZN often participates in United Nations
peacekeeping
operations. The Navy's operational authority was the Commodore, Auckland, from 1961 which changed to the Maritime Commander in March 1993.
The RNZN has played a much broader role than just conflict-related activities. Since 1946, it has policed New Zealand's territorial waters
and Exclusive Economic Zone
for fisheries protection. It also aids New Zealand's deployment in Antarctica, at Scott Base
.
One of the best-known roles that the RNZN played on the world stage was when the frigates Canterbury and the Otago
were sent by the Labour
Government of Norman Kirk
to Moruroa Atoll
in 1973 to protest against French nuclear
testing there. The frigates were sent into the potential blast zone of the weapon, which forced France to postpone the tests.
Until the 1960s, the RNZN had, in common with other Dominion navies, flown the White Ensign
as a common ensign. Post-war, the foreign policies of these independent states had become more distinctive and there was a wish and a need for separate identities, particularly if one Dominion was engaged in hostilities where another was not. Thus, in 1968, the RNZN adopted its own ensign, which retains the Union Flag
in a top quarter but replaces the St George's Cross
with the Southern Cross constellation that is displayed on the national flag.
The categorisations of the ships used here are taken from the RNZN website.
The naval combat force currently consists of two Anzac Class
frigates: HMNZS Te Kaha
and HMNZS Te Mana
. Both ships are based at the Devonport Naval Base
on Auckland
's North Shore
. Te Kaha was commissioned on 26 July 1997 and Te Mana on 10 December 1999.
The specifications and armaments of the two ships are identical.
is the fleet tanker. She provides fuel and other supplies for the frigates when they are on international operations, and for allied ships should this be required. Endeavour takes her name from the Royal Navy ship that carried James Cook to New Zealand on his first voyage, in 1769. Her home port is the city of New Plymouth
.
HMNZS Canterbury, the RNZN's new Multi-Role Vessel entered service in June 2007.
The hydrographic survey ship of the RNZN is HMNZS Resolution. Resolution is used to survey and chart the sea around New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. She was formerly the United States Navy
USNS Tenacious, used to tow sonar arrays
to detect enemy submarine
s. A small motor boat, Adventure, is operated from Resolution. Her home port is the city of Gisborne. Resolution carries some of the most advanced survey technology available.
Dive support capability is provided by HMNZS Manawanui
. Manawanui is a highly specialised Dive Support Vessel.
helicopters for use on the two frigates, and for future use on the new multi-role vessel and two offshore patrol craft that will be incorporated into the fleet in 2007 and 2008. These five aircraft are part of No. 6 Squadron
of the RNZAF. The squadron is based at Whenuapai
in Auckland, and helicopters are assigned to the ships as they are sent on deployments across the globe. The roles of the helicopters include:
The New Zealand Government defence white paper released in November 2010 has called for an upgrade of the ANZAC frigates
and the replacement of HMNZS Endeavour
with a more capable ship. HMNZS Resolution and Manawanui
are to be replaced with a single ship.
The intermediate outcomes of the NZDF are listed as:
The role of the navy is to fulfil the maritime elements of the missions of the NZDF.
has the potential to affect New Zealand because of the large Pacific Island population. The stability of the South Pacific is considered in the interest of New Zealand. The navy has participated in peace-keeping and peace-making in
East Timor
, Bougainville
and the Solomon Islands
, supporting land based operations.
Roles include patrolling the Exclusive Economic Zone
, transport to offshore islands, and support for the New Zealand Customs Service
.
The RNZN produces hydrographic information for Land Information New Zealand
under a commercial contract arrangement.
and have conducted maritime patrol operations in support of American and allied efforts in Afghanistan
.
On 21 June 2006 Te Mana was in South East Asia, and Te Kaha was in New Zealand waters, to be deployed to South East Asia in the second half of 2006.
On 1 January 2011 the RNZN consisted of 2,135 Regular Force personnel, 332 Naval Reserve personnel and 375 civilian staff.
The RNZN has not published Fleet Reserve numbers since the early 1990s.
(RNZNVR), which is organised into four units based in Auckland (with a satellite unit at Tauranga), Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin:
At present civilians can join the RNZNVR in one of three branches: Administration, Sea Service (for service on IPVs), and Maritime Trade Organisation (formerly Naval Control of Shipping). In addition ex regular force personnel can now join the RNZNVR in their former branch, and depending on time out of the service, rank. The requirement to attend compulsory training one night a week has recently been removed.
Naval Officers complete 22 weeks of training in three phases before commencing specialist training.
The RNZN is funded through a "vote" of the New Zealand Parliament. The New Zealand Defence Force funds personnel, operating and finance costs. Funding is then allocated to specific "Output Classes", which are aligned to policy objectives.
Funding allocation in each Output Class includes consumables, personnel, depreciation and a 'Capital Charge'. The Capital Charge is a budgetary mechanism to reflect the cost of Crown capital and was set at 7.5% for the 2009/2010 year.
Large projects
The Ministry of Defence (New Zealand)
is responsible for the acquisition of significant items of military equipment needed to meet New Zealand Defence Force capability requirements. Funding for the Ministry of Defence is appropriated separately.
and other Commonwealth of Nations
navies. However, RNZN personnel wear the nationality marker "NEW ZEALAND" on a curved shoulder flash on the service uniform and embroidered on shoulder slip-ons. Also, the RNZN uses the rank of Ensign
as its lowest commissioned rank.
Maori language
Māori or te reo Māori , commonly te reo , is the language of the indigenous population of New Zealand, the Māori. It has the status of an official language in New Zealand...
: Te Taua Moana o Aotearoa, "The Sea Army of New Zealand") is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force
The New Zealand Defence Force consists of three services: the Royal New Zealand Navy; the New Zealand Army; and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Commander-in-Chief of the NZDF is His Excellency Rt. Hon...
. The fleet currently consists of twelve ships and five naval helicopters.
Pre–World War I
The first recorded maritime combat activity in New Zealand occurred when Dutch explorerNetherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
Abel Tasman
Abel Tasman
Abel Janszoon Tasman was a Dutch seafarer, explorer, and merchant, best known for his voyages of 1642 and 1644 in the service of the VOC . His was the first known European expedition to reach the islands of Van Diemen's Land and New Zealand and to sight the Fiji islands...
was attacked by Māori in war waka
Waka (canoe)
Waka are Māori watercraft, usually canoes ranging in size from small, unornamented canoes used for fishing and river travel, to large decorated war canoes up to long...
off the northern tip of the South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
in December 1642.
The New Zealand Navy did not exist as a separate military force until 1941. The association of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
with New Zealand began with the arrival of Lieutenant (later Captain) James Cook
James Cook
Captain James Cook, FRS, RN was a British explorer, navigator and cartographer who ultimately rose to the rank of captain in the Royal Navy...
in 1769, who completed two subsequent journeys to New Zealand in 1773 and 1777. Occasional visits by Royal Navy ships were made from the late 18th century until the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi
Treaty of Waitangi
The Treaty of Waitangi is a treaty first signed on 6 February 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and various Māori chiefs from the North Island of New Zealand....
in 1840. William Hobson
William Hobson
Captain William Hobson RN was the first Governor of New Zealand and co-author of the Treaty of Waitangi.-Early life:...
, a crucial player in the drafting of the Treaty, was in New Zealand as a captain in the Royal Navy. The signing of the Treaty of Waitangi made New Zealand a colony in the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
, so the defence of the coastline became the responsibility of the Royal Navy. That role was fulfilled until World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, and the Royal Navy also played a part in the New Zealand Wars
New Zealand land wars
The New Zealand Wars, sometimes called the Land Wars and also once called the Māori Wars, were a series of armed conflicts that took place in New Zealand between 1845 and 1872...
: for example, a gunboat shelled fortified Māori pā
Pa (Maori)
The word pā can refer to any Māori village or settlement, but in traditional use it referred to hillforts fortified with palisades and defensive terraces and also to fortified villages. They first came into being about 1450. They are located mainly in the North Island north of lake Taupo...
from the Waikato River in order to defeat the Māori King Movement
Maori King Movement
The Māori King Movement or Kīngitanga is a movement that arose among some of the Māori tribes of New Zealand in the central North Island ,in the 1850s, to establish a role similar in status to that of the monarch of the colonising people, the British, as a way of halting the alienation of Māori land...
.
World War I and the Inter-War period
In 1909, the New Zealand government decided to fund the purchase of the battlecruiserBattlecruiser
Battlecruisers were large capital ships built in the first half of the 20th century. They were developed in the first decade of the century as the successor to the armoured cruiser, but their evolution was more closely linked to that of the dreadnought battleship...
HMS New Zealand
HMS New Zealand (1911)
HMS New Zealand was one of three s built for the defence of the British Empire. Launched in 1911, the ship's construction was funded by the government of New Zealand as a gift to Britain, and she was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1912...
for the Royal Navy, which saw action throughout World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
in Europe. The passing of the Naval Defence Act 1913 created the New Zealand Naval Forces
New Zealand Naval Forces
New Zealand Naval Forces was the name given to a division of the Royal Navy. The division was formed in 1913 and it operated under this name until 1921, when it became the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy....
, still as a part of the Royal Navy, and from 1921 to 1941 the force was known as the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy
New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy
The New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy was formed in 1921 and remained in existence until 1941. It was the precursor to the Royal New Zealand Navy .Originally the British Royal Navy provided total security for the colony of New Zealand...
. The first purchase by the New Zealand government for the New Zealand Naval Forces was the cruiser
Cruiser
A cruiser is a type of warship. The term has been in use for several hundreds of years, and has had different meanings throughout this period...
HMS Philomel
HMS Philomel (1890)
HMS Philomel was a Pearl-class cruiser. She was the sixth ship of that name and served with the Royal Navy from her commissioning in 1890 until 1914, when she was transferred to the New Zealand Navy with whom she served until 1947...
, which escorted New Zealand land forces to occupy the German colony of Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
in 1914. Philomel saw further action under the command of the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
, the Red Sea
Red Sea
The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. The connection to the ocean is in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden. In the north, there is the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez...
, and the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
.
Between World War I and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the New Zealand Division operated 14 ships, including the cruisers HMS Achilles
HMNZS Achilles (70)
HMNZS Achilles was a Leander class light cruiser which served with the Royal New Zealand Navy in World War II. She became famous for her part in the Battle of the River Plate, alongside HMS Ajax and HMS Exeter....
and HMS Leander
HMNZS Leander
HMNZS Leander was a light cruiser which served with the Royal New Zealand Navy during World War II. She was the lead ship of a class of eight ships, the Leander class light cruiser and was initially named HMS Leander.- History :...
, and the minesweeper HMS Wakakura
HMNZS Wakakura (T00)
HMNZS Wakakura was originally a First World War naval trawler built in Canada. She was purchased by New Zealand in 1926 and transferred to the Royal New Zealand Navy when it was established in 1941...
.
From 1919/1921 to October 1940, the Royal Navy formation around New Zealand was the New Zealand Station
New Zealand Station
The New Zealand Station or New Zealand Squadron was the British naval command responsible for the waters around New Zealand. The station was created on 1 January 1921 after being split from the China Station. The Commodore's appointment was abolished and forces brought directly under the NZ CNS...
, sometimes rendered New Zealand Squadron.
World War II
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
went to war against Germany in 1939, New Zealand promptly declared war also. The New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy became the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) from 1 October 1941, in recognition of the fact that the naval force was now largely self-sufficient and independent of the Royal Navy. Ships thereafter were prefixed HMNZS (His/Her Majesty's New Zealand Ship).
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Battle of the River Plate
Battle of the River Plate
The Battle of the River Plate was the first naval battle in the Second World War. The German pocket battleship had been commerce raiding since the start of the war in September 1939...
off the River Plate estuary
Río de la Plata
The Río de la Plata —sometimes rendered River Plate in British English and the Commonwealth, and occasionally rendered [La] Plata River in other English-speaking countries—is the river and estuary formed by the confluence of the Uruguay River and the Paraná River on the border between Argentina and...
between Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
and Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
, in December 1939. Achilles and two other cruisers, and , were in an operation that forced the crew of the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee to scuttle her rather than face the loss of many more German seamen's lives. This decision apparently infuriated Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
. Achilles moved to the Pacific, and was working with the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
(USN) when damaged by a Japanese bomb off New Georgia
New Georgia
New Georgia is the largest island of the Western Province of the Solomon Islands.-Geography:This island is located in the New Georgia Group, an archipelago including most of the other larger islands in the province...
. Following repair, she served alongside the British Pacific Fleet
British Pacific Fleet
The British Pacific Fleet was a British Commonwealth naval force which saw action against Japan during World War II. The fleet was composed of British Commonwealth naval vessels. The BPF formally came into being on 22 November 1944...
until the war's end.
escorted the New Zealand Expeditionary Force
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
The New Zealand Expeditionary Force was the title of the military forces sent from New Zealand to fight for Britain during World War I and World War II. Ultimately, the NZEF of World War I was known as the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force...
to the Middle East in 1940, and was then deployed in the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
, the Red Sea
Red Sea
The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. The connection to the ocean is in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden. In the north, there is the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez...
, and the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
. Leander was subjected to air and naval attack from Axis
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
forces, conducted bombardments, and escorted convoys. In February 1941, Leander sank the Italian auxiliary cruiser Ramb I in the Indian Ocean. In 1943, after serving further time in the Mediterranean, Leander returned to the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
. She assisted in the destruction of the Japanese cruiser Jintsu
Japanese cruiser Jintsu
was a Sendai-class light cruiser in the Imperial Japanese Navy, named after the Jinzū River in the Gifu and Toyama prefectures of central Japan.-Background:...
and being seriously damaged by torpedoes during the Battle of Kolombangara
Battle of Kolombangara
The Battle of Kolombangara was a naval battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the night of 12/13 July 1943, off Kolombangara in the Solomon Islands.-Background:...
. The extent of the damage to Leander saw her docked for repairs until the end of the war.
As the war progressed, the size of the RNZN greatly increased, and by the end of the war there were over 60 ships in commission. These ships participated as part of the British and Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
effort against the Axis
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
in Europe, and against the Japanese in the Pacific. They also played an important role in the defence of New Zealand, from German raiders
Merchant raider
Merchant raiders are ships which disguise themselves as non-combatant merchant vessels, whilst actually being armed and intending to attack enemy commerce. Germany used several merchant raiders early in World War I, and again early in World War II...
, especially when the threat of invasion from Japan appeared imminent in 1942. Many merchant ships were requisitioned and armed for help in defence. One of these was , which saw action against the Japanese submarine I-20 off Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
in 1942. In 1941–1942, it was decided in an agreement between the New Zealand and United States governments that the best role for the RNZN in the Pacific was as part of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, so operational control of the RNZN was transferred to the South West Pacific Area command
South West Pacific Area
South West Pacific Area was the name given to the Allied supreme military command in the South West Pacific Theatre of World War II. It was one of four major Allied commands in the Pacific theatres of World War II, during 1942–45...
, and its ships joined United States 7th Fleet
United States 7th Fleet
The Seventh Fleet is the United States Navy's permanent forward projection force based in Yokosuka, Japan, with units positioned near Japan and South Korea. It is a component fleet force under the United States Pacific Fleet. At present, it is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets, with...
taskforces.
In 1943, the light cruiser was transferred to the RNZN as HMNZS Gambia. In November 1944, the British Pacific Fleet
British Pacific Fleet
The British Pacific Fleet was a British Commonwealth naval force which saw action against Japan during World War II. The fleet was composed of British Commonwealth naval vessels. The BPF formally came into being on 22 November 1944...
, a joint British Commonwealth taskforce, was formed, based in Sydney, Australia. Most RNZN ships were transferred to the BPF, including Gambia and Achilles. They took part in the Battle of Okinawa
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg, was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945...
and operations in the Sakishima Islands
Sakishima Islands
The are an island chain located at the southernmost end of the Japanese Archipelago. They are part of the Nansei Islands and include the Miyako Islands and the Yaeyama Islands...
, near Japan. In August 1945, HMNZS Gambia was New Zealand's representative at the surrender of Japan
Surrender of Japan
The surrender of Japan in 1945 brought hostilities of World War II to a close. By the end of July 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy was incapable of conducting operations and an Allied invasion of Japan was imminent...
.
Post-war
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, Malayan Emergency
Malayan Emergency
The Malayan Emergency was a guerrilla war fought between Commonwealth armed forces and the Malayan National Liberation Army , the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party, from 1948 to 1960....
, and the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation
Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation
Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation during 1962–1966 was Indonesia’s political and armed opposition to the creation of Malaysia. It is also known by its Indonesian/Malay name Konfrontasi...
. In the past three decades, the RNZN has operated in the Middle East a number of times. RNZN ships played a role in the Iran–Iraq War, aiding the Royal Navy in protecting neutral shipping in the Indian Ocean. Frigates were also sent to participate in the first Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
, and more recently Operation Enduring Freedom. The RNZN has played an important part in conflicts in the Pacific as well. Naval forces were utilised in the Bougainville
Bougainville Province
The Autonomous Region of Bougainville, previously known as North Solomons, is an autonomous region in Papua New Guinea. The largest island is Bougainville Island , and the province also includes the island of Buka and assorted outlying islands including the Carterets...
, Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
and East Timor
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor , is a state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
conflicts of the 1990s. The RNZN often participates in United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
operations. The Navy's operational authority was the Commodore, Auckland, from 1961 which changed to the Maritime Commander in March 1993.
The RNZN has played a much broader role than just conflict-related activities. Since 1946, it has policed New Zealand's territorial waters
Territorial waters
Territorial waters, or a territorial sea, as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is a belt of coastal waters extending at most from the baseline of a coastal state...
and Exclusive Economic Zone
Exclusive Economic Zone
Under the law of the sea, an exclusive economic zone is a seazone over which a state has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources, including production of energy from water and wind. It stretches from the seaward edge of the state's territorial sea out to 200 nautical...
for fisheries protection. It also aids New Zealand's deployment in Antarctica, at Scott Base
Scott Base
Scott Base is a research facility located in Antarctica and is operated by New Zealand. It was named after Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Royal Navy, leader of two British expeditions to the Ross Sea area of Antarctica...
.
One of the best-known roles that the RNZN played on the world stage was when the frigates Canterbury and the Otago
HMNZS Otago
HMNZS Otago was a Rothesay Class Type 12 Frigate, acquired from the Royal Navy before completion. She was launched on 11 December 1958 by Princess Margaret, and was commissioned into the Royal New Zealand Navy on 22 June 1960....
were sent by the Labour
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
Government of Norman Kirk
Norman Kirk
Norman Eric Kirk was the 29th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1972 until his sudden death in 1974. He led the Parliamentary wing of the New Zealand Labour Party from 1965 to 1974. He was the fourth Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand, but the first to be born in New Zealand...
to Moruroa Atoll
Moruroa
Moruroa , also historically known as Aopuni, is an atoll which forms part of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia in the southern Pacific Ocean...
in 1973 to protest against French nuclear
Nuclear weapon
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
testing there. The frigates were sent into the potential blast zone of the weapon, which forced France to postpone the tests.
White Ensign
The White Ensign or St George's Ensign is an ensign flown on British Royal Navy ships and shore establishments. It consists of a red St George's Cross on a white field with the Union Flag in the upper canton....
as a common ensign. Post-war, the foreign policies of these independent states had become more distinctive and there was a wish and a need for separate identities, particularly if one Dominion was engaged in hostilities where another was not. Thus, in 1968, the RNZN adopted its own ensign, which retains the Union Flag
Union Flag
The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas...
in a top quarter but replaces the St George's Cross
St George's Cross
St George's Cross is a red cross on a white background used as a symbolic reference to Saint George. The red cross on white was associated with St George from medieval times....
with the Southern Cross constellation that is displayed on the national flag.
Current fleet
The RNZN is currently in a transitional period where its role is being broadened into a navy that is more versatile than in the more recent past. Formerly combat-oriented and based on the frigate, a number of new ships have been incorporated into the fleet that have given the RNZN a much broader potential platform from which to work.The categorisations of the ships used here are taken from the RNZN website.
Naval combat force
Anzac class frigate
The Anzac class is a ship class of ten frigates; eight operated by the Royal Australian Navy and two operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy...
frigates: HMNZS Te Kaha
HMNZS Te Kaha (F77)
HMNZS Te Kaha is one of ten Anzac class frigates, and one of two serving in the Royal New Zealand Navy . The name Te Kaha is Māori, meaning 'fighting prowess' or 'strength' ....
and HMNZS Te Mana
HMNZS Te Mana (F111)
HMNZS Te Mana is one of ten Anzac class frigates and one of two serving in the Royal New Zealand Navy. The name Te Mana is Māori, approximately translating as 'status' or 'authority' ....
. Both ships are based at the Devonport Naval Base
Devonport Naval Base
Devonport Naval Base is the home of the Royal New Zealand Navy, located at Devonport, New Zealand on Auckland's North Shore. It is currently the only base of the navy that operates ships, and was a navy base from as far back as 1841...
on Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
's North Shore
North Shore, New Zealand
North Shore City was the name of a city that existed in the Auckland region of New Zealand from 1989 until 2010. The city had a population of making it the fourth most populous city in New Zealand prior to November 2010...
. Te Kaha was commissioned on 26 July 1997 and Te Mana on 10 December 1999.
The specifications and armaments of the two ships are identical.
Naval Patrol Force
The Naval Patrol Force (NPF) is responsible for policing New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone, one of the largest in the world. In addition the NPF provides assistance to a range of civilian government agencies, including the Department of Conservation, New Zealand Customs and Police, Ministry of Fisheries and others. The NPF currently consists of:- 2 Protector-class offshore patrol vessels (HMNZS Otago and HMNZS Wellington)
- 4 Protector-class inshore patrol boatPatrol boatA patrol boat is a relatively small naval vessel generally designed for coastal defense duties.There have been many designs for patrol boats. They may be operated by a nation's navy, coast guard, or police force, and may be intended for marine and/or estuarine or river environments...
(HMNZS Pukaki, Hawea, Rotoiti, Taupo)
Logistics support force
HMNZS EndeavourHMNZS Endeavour (A11)
HMNZS Endeavour is the current fleet oiler for the Royal New Zealand Navy. She is named after James Cook's Bark Endeavour and is the third ship in the RNZN to carry that name, though if continuity with the Royal Navy ships of the name HMS Endeavour is considered, she is the twelfth...
is the fleet tanker. She provides fuel and other supplies for the frigates when they are on international operations, and for allied ships should this be required. Endeavour takes her name from the Royal Navy ship that carried James Cook to New Zealand on his first voyage, in 1769. Her home port is the city of New Plymouth
New Plymouth
New Plymouth is the major city of the Taranaki Region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is named after Plymouth, Devon, England, from where the first English settlers migrated....
.
HMNZS Canterbury, the RNZN's new Multi-Role Vessel entered service in June 2007.
Littoral Warfare Support Group
The Littoral Warfare Support Group consists of the Mine Counter Measures Team, Maritime Survey Team and the Operational Diving Team. The Operational Dive Team (ODT), is trained for deep sea diving, underwater demolition and explosives disposal. The group is supported by the Hydrographic Force and Diving Support Vessel. In addition the Group operate 4 x REMUS 100 Autonomous underwater vehicles.Hydrographic force
The hydrographic survey ship of the RNZN is HMNZS Resolution. Resolution is used to survey and chart the sea around New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. She was formerly the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
USNS Tenacious, used to tow sonar arrays
Sonar
Sonar is a technique that uses sound propagation to navigate, communicate with or detect other vessels...
to detect enemy submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
s. A small motor boat, Adventure, is operated from Resolution. Her home port is the city of Gisborne. Resolution carries some of the most advanced survey technology available.
Diving support
Dive support capability is provided by HMNZS Manawanui
HMNZS Manawanui (A09)
HMNZS Manawanui was commissioned in 1988 as a diving support vessel for the Royal New Zealand Navy. Originally she was built as a diving support vessel, the Star Perseus, for North Sea oil rig operations....
. Manawanui is a highly specialised Dive Support Vessel.
Aircraft
The RNZN operates five Kaman SH-2G SeaspriteSH-2 Seasprite
The Kaman SH-2 Seasprite is a ship-based helicopter with anti-submarine, anti-surface threat capability, including over-the-horizon targeting. This aircraft extends and increases shipboard sensor and weapon capabilities against several types of enemy threats, including submarines of all types,...
helicopters for use on the two frigates, and for future use on the new multi-role vessel and two offshore patrol craft that will be incorporated into the fleet in 2007 and 2008. These five aircraft are part of No. 6 Squadron
No. 6 Squadron RNZAF
No. 6 Squadron Royal New Zealand Air Force is the squadron operating New Zealand's navy's air arm. While historically having been disbanded several times through changes in the country's military structure, it has a history going back to before World War II, when it operated flying boats. The...
of the RNZAF. The squadron is based at Whenuapai
RNZAF Base Auckland
RNZAF Base Auckland is a Royal New Zealand Air Force base located near the upper reaches of the Waitemata Harbour in Auckland, New Zealand. The base formerly comprised two separate airfields, Whenuapai and Hobsonville. Hobsonville was established as a seaplane station in 1928 and was the RNZAF's...
in Auckland, and helicopters are assigned to the ships as they are sent on deployments across the globe. The roles of the helicopters include:
- surface warfare missions and surveillance operations
- under water warfare
- helicopter delivery services/logistics
- search and rescue
- medical evacuation
- training
- assistance to other Government agencies
Future fleet
Anzac class frigate
The Anzac class is a ship class of ten frigates; eight operated by the Royal Australian Navy and two operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy...
and the replacement of HMNZS Endeavour
HMNZS Endeavour (A11)
HMNZS Endeavour is the current fleet oiler for the Royal New Zealand Navy. She is named after James Cook's Bark Endeavour and is the third ship in the RNZN to carry that name, though if continuity with the Royal Navy ships of the name HMS Endeavour is considered, she is the twelfth...
with a more capable ship. HMNZS Resolution and Manawanui
HMNZS Manawanui (A09)
HMNZS Manawanui was commissioned in 1988 as a diving support vessel for the Royal New Zealand Navy. Originally she was built as a diving support vessel, the Star Perseus, for North Sea oil rig operations....
are to be replaced with a single ship.
Defence
In its Statement of Intent, the NZDF states its primary mission as:- "to secure New Zealand from external threat, to protect our sovereign interests, including in the Exclusive Economic ZoneExclusive Economic ZoneUnder the law of the sea, an exclusive economic zone is a seazone over which a state has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources, including production of energy from water and wind. It stretches from the seaward edge of the state's territorial sea out to 200 nautical...
(EEZ) and to be able to take action to meet likely contingencies in our strategic area of interest."
The intermediate outcomes of the NZDF are listed as:
- Secure New Zealand, including its people, land, territorial watersTerritorial watersTerritorial waters, or a territorial sea, as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is a belt of coastal waters extending at most from the baseline of a coastal state...
, exclusive economic zone, natural resources and critical infrastructure. - Reduced risks to New Zealand from regional and global insecurity.
- New Zealand values and interests advanced through participation in regional and international security systems.
- New Zealand is able to meet future national security challenges.
The role of the navy is to fulfil the maritime elements of the missions of the NZDF.
International participation
The RNZN has a role to help prevent any unrest occurring in New Zealand. This can be done by having a presence in overseas waters and assisting redevelopment in troubled countries. For example, any unrest in the Pacific IslandsPacific Islands
The Pacific Islands comprise 20,000 to 30,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean. The islands are also sometimes collectively called Oceania, although Oceania is sometimes defined as also including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago....
has the potential to affect New Zealand because of the large Pacific Island population. The stability of the South Pacific is considered in the interest of New Zealand. The navy has participated in peace-keeping and peace-making in
East Timor
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor , is a state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
, Bougainville
Bougainville Province
The Autonomous Region of Bougainville, previously known as North Solomons, is an autonomous region in Papua New Guinea. The largest island is Bougainville Island , and the province also includes the island of Buka and assorted outlying islands including the Carterets...
and the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
, supporting land based operations.
Civilian roles
The 2002 Maritime Forces Review identified a number of roles that other government agencies required the RNZN to undertake. Approximately 1,400 days at sea are required to fulfil these roles annually.Roles include patrolling the Exclusive Economic Zone
Exclusive Economic Zone
Under the law of the sea, an exclusive economic zone is a seazone over which a state has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources, including production of energy from water and wind. It stretches from the seaward edge of the state's territorial sea out to 200 nautical...
, transport to offshore islands, and support for the New Zealand Customs Service
New Zealand Customs Service
The Customs Service is a state sector organisation of New Zealand whose role is to provide border control and protect the community from potential risks arising from international trade and travel, as well as collecting duties and taxes on imports to the country. New Zealand's Minister of Customs...
.
The RNZN produces hydrographic information for Land Information New Zealand
Land Information New Zealand
Land Information New Zealand is a New Zealand government agency. The current Chief Executive is Colin MacDonald and the current Minister of Land Information is Maurice Williamson.- Nature and scope of functions :...
under a commercial contract arrangement.
Current deployments
Since 2001, both ANZAC frigates have participated in the United States' Operation Enduring Freedom in the Persian GulfPersian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
and have conducted maritime patrol operations in support of American and allied efforts in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
.
On 21 June 2006 Te Mana was in South East Asia, and Te Kaha was in New Zealand waters, to be deployed to South East Asia in the second half of 2006.
Personnel
On 1 July 2007 the RNZN had a total of 2,034 Regular Force personnel, 237 Naval Reserve personnel and 378 civilian employees, totalling 2,699. Around 1800 of that total are based at the Devonport Naval base in Auckland.On 1 January 2011 the RNZN consisted of 2,135 Regular Force personnel, 332 Naval Reserve personnel and 375 civilian staff.
Fleet Reserve
All regular force personnel on discharge from the RNZN are liable for service in the Royal New Zealand Navy Fleet Reserve. The Fleet reserve has an active and inactive list. RNZNVR personnel can choose to serve four years in the fleet reserve on discharge.The RNZN has not published Fleet Reserve numbers since the early 1990s.
Volunteer Reserve
The primary reserve component of the RNZN is the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer ReserveRoyal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve
The Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve is the volunteer reserve force of the Royal New Zealand Navy .-Early history:The first Naval Volunteer units were formed in Auckland and Nelson in 1858. Over the rest of the 19th century Naval Volunteer units were formed in various ports such as Bluff,...
(RNZNVR), which is organised into four units based in Auckland (with a satellite unit at Tauranga), Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin:
- HMNZS Ngapona: Naval Reserve, Auckland
- HMNZS Olphert: Naval Reserve, Wellington
- HMNZS Pegasus: Naval Reserve, Christchurch
- HMNZS Toroa: Naval Reserve, Dunedin
At present civilians can join the RNZNVR in one of three branches: Administration, Sea Service (for service on IPVs), and Maritime Trade Organisation (formerly Naval Control of Shipping). In addition ex regular force personnel can now join the RNZNVR in their former branch, and depending on time out of the service, rank. The requirement to attend compulsory training one night a week has recently been removed.
Training
Naval Ratings begin a 12-week basic training course (Basic Common Training) prior to commencing their branch training which focuses on their chosen trade.Naval Officers complete 22 weeks of training in three phases before commencing specialist training.
Finance
Routine fundingThe RNZN is funded through a "vote" of the New Zealand Parliament. The New Zealand Defence Force funds personnel, operating and finance costs. Funding is then allocated to specific "Output Classes", which are aligned to policy objectives.
Funding allocation in each Output Class includes consumables, personnel, depreciation and a 'Capital Charge'. The Capital Charge is a budgetary mechanism to reflect the cost of Crown capital and was set at 7.5% for the 2009/2010 year.
Large projects
The Ministry of Defence (New Zealand)
Ministry of Defence (New Zealand)
The New Zealand Ministry of Defence is the arm of the New Zealand Government charged with providing advice on defence matters, as well as providing civilian administration and oversight over the New Zealand Defence Force....
is responsible for the acquisition of significant items of military equipment needed to meet New Zealand Defence Force capability requirements. Funding for the Ministry of Defence is appropriated separately.
Royal New Zealand Naval Museum
The Museum, adjacent to HMNZS Philomel, the RNZN Naval Base in Devonport (Auckland), contains important collections of naval artefacts, and extensive records.Naval Communications Facility Irirangi
HMNZS Irirangi was a Naval Communication Station at WaiouruWaiouru
Waiouru is a small town in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand. It is on the North Island Volcanic Plateau, 25 kilometres south-east of Mount Ruapehu, and in the Ruapehu District....
Uniforms and insignia
Uniforms of the RNZN are very similar to those of the British Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and other Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
navies. However, RNZN personnel wear the nationality marker "NEW ZEALAND" on a curved shoulder flash on the service uniform and embroidered on shoulder slip-ons. Also, the RNZN uses the rank of Ensign
Ensign
An ensign is a national flag when used at sea, in vexillology, or a distinguishing token, emblem, or badge, such as a symbol of office in heraldry...
as its lowest commissioned rank.
See also
- History of New ZealandHistory of New ZealandThe history of New Zealand dates back at least 700 years to when it was discovered and settled by Polynesians, who developed a distinct Māori culture centred on kinship links and land. The first European explorer to discover New Zealand was Abel Janszoon Tasman on 13 December 1642...
- New Zealand Sea Cadet CorpsNew Zealand Sea Cadet CorpsThe Sea Cadet Corps or Sea Cadets, is one of the three corps in the New Zealand Cadet Forces, the other two being the Air Training Corps, and the New Zealand Cadet Corps. Its members are civilians. Members have no obligation to join the New Zealand Defence Force however some do choose to join...
- New Zealand military ranksNew Zealand military ranksNew Zealand military ranks are largely based on those of the United Kingdom. The three forces have their own rank structure, with a rank equivalency that allows seamless interoperability between the services...
- Military history of New ZealandMilitary history of New ZealandThe military history of New Zealand is an aspect of the history of New Zealand that spans several hundred years. When first settled by Māori almost a millennium ago, there was much land and resources, but war began to break out as the country's carrying capacity was approached...
- New Zealand Defence CollegeNew Zealand Defence CollegeThe New Zealand Defence College is the premier educational institute for the New Zealand Defence Force and is located at Trentham Military Camp, Upper Hutt . The New Zealand Defence College provides professional military education to New Zealand Defence Force officers...
- List of individual weapons of the New Zealand armed forces
- List of ships of the Royal New Zealand Navy
Further reading
- Rear-Admiral Jack Welch, "New Zealand's navy seeks 'credible minimum,'" International Defence Review 9/1995, Vol. 28 No. 9, pages 75–77
External links
- Royal New Zealand Navy homepage
- The New Zealand Defence Force Website
- Royal New Zealand Naval Association website
- The Royal New Zealand Navy in WWII, Official History (online), by S D Waters
- The First New Zealand Navy in the Maori Wars (Appendix to WWII History above)
- Ministry of Defence (official website)