HMS Achilles alongside Aotea Quay, Wellington, in the late 1930s. Launched in 1932, the cruiser joined the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy in 1936. Following the formal establishment of the Royal New Zealand Navy in October 1941, the ship became HMNZS Achilles. HMNZS Achilles was a Leander-class light cruiser, the second of five in the class. SheContinue reading “Cruiser – HMS/HMNZS Achilles (70)”
Category Archives: All RNZN/NZDF News Past and Present
Family focuses Porirua man on a naval career at sea and in the air
Midshipman Ethan Thomas-Tuiāvi’i can thank his family for pushing him into a career with the Royal New Zealand Navy and he is now also chasing the achievements of his great-grandfather as a naval aviator. 11 March, 2025 Midshipman Thomas-Tuiāvi’i, from Porirua, was among 11 officers and 68 sailors who recently graduated at Devonport Naval BaseContinue reading “Family focuses Porirua man on a naval career at sea and in the air”
Castle Class NZ – HMNZS Waima (T33/T349)
HMNZS Waima was one of eight steel New Zealand-built Castle-class trawlers built and commissioned by the Royal New Zealand Navy during World War II. Background The vessel was ordered after the New Zealand government, facing a requirement for more minesweepers to operate in home waters, chose the Castle-class design because it was simple enough to be built with the country’s limited ship construction facilities at theContinue reading “Castle Class NZ – HMNZS Waima (T33/T349)”
Castle Class NZ – HMNZS Pahau (T28/T351)
HMNZS Pahau underway, 1943 HMNZS Pahau alongside HMNZS Matai Former RNZN ships – Ex HMNZS Matai with HMNZS Pahau under tow from Auckland entering Sydney Harbour Ex HMNZS Pahau in 1946 while she was operating in Sydney under Arthur Murrell – courtesy Sydney Heritage Fleet HMNZS Pahau was one of eight steel New Zealand-built Castle-class trawlers built and commissionedContinue reading “Castle Class NZ – HMNZS Pahau (T28/T351)”
Castle Class NZ – HMNZS Aroha (T24/T396)
Awaiting a sale – HMNZS Aroha at the Viaduct basin Aroha is now named Maldanna and is a fishing trawler in Sydney – Courtesy of Sydney Heritage Fleet HMNZS Aroha was one of eight steel New Zealand-built Castle-class ships built and commissioned by the Royal New Zealand Navy during World War II. She was the first steel Castle-class trawler launched for the RoyalContinue reading “Castle Class NZ – HMNZS Aroha (T24/T396)”
