HMNZS Matai

Built: 1930 Type: Auxiliary minesweeper
Pennant No.: T01
Displacement: 1050 tons
Length: 219 ft., Beam: 35.1 ft. Draft: 13.6 ft.
Propulsion: triple expansion oil steam reciprocating, 1,050 ihp, twin shaft
Speed: 13/10 knots
Complement : 81
Armament: 1 x 4 inch gun, 2x20mm Oerlikons, 2 MGs, 40 depth charges

HMNZS Matai was a Marine Department steam lighthouse tender requisitioned by the RNZN in January 1941, converted and used as a minesweeper during WW2. She was commissioned as a fast minesweeper on 1 April 1941 and took over as the flotilla leader of the 25th Minesweeping Flotilla. She commenced operations with the flotilla and then began sweeping a minefield in the Hauraki Gulf.

At the beginning of March 1942 Matai had just completed a long refit.and sailed to Suva, where Lieutenant-Commander A. D. Holden, RNZNR, the SO 25th M/S Flotilla took command. In March she assisted the RAN survey party in surveyed the Nandi area. In April she cooperated with the USN in laying protective minefields in Nandi Waters.

For the next five months the Matai and Viti, in co-operation with aircraft of the RNZAF, maintained almost continuous anti-submarine patrols and provided close anti-submarine escort for the increasing number of troop transports and supply ships arriving at and sailing from Suva.

Matai was relieved at Suva by HMNZS Tui and then sailed to Noumea , arriving there on 25 October 1942 for escort and patrol duties.

On 12 December 1942 Matai sailed from Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides with Kiwi, Moa, and Tui for the Solomon Islands, where the Guadalcanal campaign was then nearing its climax. They arrived in Tulagi harbour on the 15th and, four days later, began a tour of duty that kept the flotilla hard at work in and about the Solomons for two and a half years.

In January 1943 Matai was attacked by a US bomber, fortunately without damage or injury.

In 1944 Matai was reclassified as a transport. She paid off at Wellington on 25 April 1945 and was returned to her owners in 1946.