18 minute read Recollections from the first ENDEAVOUR from Royal New Zealand Navy | Navy Today – Issue 261, December 2021 by New Zealand Defence Force “That image brings back memories,” says Bob Pinker, former crewman of netlayer HMNZS ENDEAVOUR (I), the Royal New Zealand Navy’s first Antarctic supply vessel. When HMNZS AOTEAROA heads to Antarctica next year,Continue reading “Antarctic Supply Ship -HMNZS Endeavour 1 . Ex John Briscoe – Ex HMS Pretext (includes historical pics)”
Category Archives: All RNZN/NZDF News Past and Present
New Zealand Defence Force introduces new emergency response vehicles for Joint Military Police Unit
Soldiers, sailors and aviators stand in front of a fleet of 4×4 vehicles by the edge of the water at Devonport Naval Base. Photo: NZDF The New Zealand Defence Force has introduced 18 new emergency response vehicles into service to support Joint Military Police Unit personnel during a ceremony at Devonport Naval Base. The newContinue reading “New Zealand Defence Force introduces new emergency response vehicles for Joint Military Police Unit”
HMNZS Manawanui – New Zealand to pay Samoa $3.5m after its navy vessel ran aground and sank during reef survey
Emma Turton – 6th October 2025 at 10:41am New Zealand will pay Samoa 10 million tala ($3.5m) in compensation after one of its navy vessels sank off the island nation’s coast a year ago. HMNZS Manawanui, a specialist dive and hydrographic ship, ran aground during a reef survey off southern Upolu in October 2024. TheContinue reading “HMNZS Manawanui – New Zealand to pay Samoa $3.5m after its navy vessel ran aground and sank during reef survey”
In Memoriam – HMNZS Manuka Pennant numbers: T19, T401, WN82 – 73 years ago on 4 October 1952, while anchored in Port Hutt, Manuka sunk at her moorings. There was nobody aboard when she sank
HMNZS Manuka was one of three composite New Zealand-built Castle-class trawlers 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 the time.[1] ConstructionContinue reading “In Memoriam – HMNZS Manuka Pennant numbers: T19, T401, WN82 – 73 years ago on 4 October 1952, while anchored in Port Hutt, Manuka sunk at her moorings. There was nobody aboard when she sank”
New Zealand NH90 helicopters fly record distance across Tasman Sea
By Nick Lee-Frampton – Oct 1, 2025, 11:18 PM Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopters fly in formation in this undated photo. (RNZAF photo) WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Two Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopters have flown from Australia to New Zealand on a two-day, record-breaking journey for the aircraft, which each carried two 1,100lb external fuelContinue reading “New Zealand NH90 helicopters fly record distance across Tasman Sea”
