JCs Royal New Zealand Navy Ships and New Zealand Defence, Also other World Defence Updates

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 fuel tanks, according to the service.

The aircraft flew from Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley, near Brisbane, via Norfolk Island, to RNZAF Base Auckland, a distance of 1,765 miles over water. The longest leg of the trip, 660 miles, took around four and a half hours.

Both of the 3 Squadron aircraft landed safely home at RNZAF Base Ohakea Sept. 30.

The flight broke the RNZAF NH90s’ previous over-water record, achieved at the end of last month, of 521 miles across the Coral Sea Basin between Australia and Papua New Guinea.

New Zealand’s air component commander, Air Commodore Andy Scott, said the long-distance flight was important because it demonstrated the utility of the aircraft and the ability for it to self-deploy over a vast area.

“These types of flights give our crews confidence in the system,” he said.

The squadron’s commanding officer, Wing Commander Chris Ross, said the flight gave crews the opportunity to gain valuable long-distance flying skills: “It’s a terrific achievement.”

The marathon flight had been a long time coming, with the capability signed off in 2023, but the opportunity hadn’t arisen until this year, said Squadron Leader Lachie Johnston, the NH90 flight commander.

“We knew the aircraft could do it and we knew the crews were appropriately trained,” Johnston said. “It’s not unheard of for helicopters to fly long trips, but this is a unique capability in the context of doing such long legs over large bodies of water.”

New Zealand defense leaders selected the European-designed NH90 in 2005 to replace the RNZAF’s UH-1 Iroquois, and eight have been in service since 2015, with a ninth serving as an extra.

About Nick Lee-Frampton

Nick Lee-Frampton is the New Zealand correspondent for Defense News.

HMNZS Endeavour (A11), center, refuels the Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS Te Kaha (F77), left, and the Republic of Korean destroyer ROKS Choi Young (DDH 981)

120720-O-ZZ999-017 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 20, 2012) The Royal New Zealand Navy fleet oiler HMNZS Endeavour (A11), center, refuels the Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS Te Kaha (F77), left, and the Republic of Korean destroyer ROKS Choi Young (DDH 981). Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in the biennial RIMPAC exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. (New Zealand Defence Force photo by LAC Amanda McErlich/Released)

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Kiwi commended during Australian frigate exchange Royal New Zealand Navy officer Sub Lieutenant Nate Stainton, serving in Australian frigate HMAS Ballarat, has received a Commanding Officer’s commendation for his commitment and work ethic.

01 October, 2025

Sub Lieutenant Stainton is an Assistant Weapons Electrical Engineering Officer in Ballarat as the ship conducts a three-month regional presence deployment.

This is SLT Stainton’s second deployment with the Royal Australian Navy and will bring his two-year exchange to an end.

This month he received a Commanding Officer’s commendation, praising his professionalism and work ethic.

Nate joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in 2020 during the 2nd year of his degree in mechatronics at University of Canterbury in Christchurch.

After graduating, SLT Stainton completed a six-month posting to HMAS Cerberus to complete his Weapons Electrical Engineering Officer Application Course.

Following his time at Cerberus, SLT Stainton posted to Ballarat in Western Australia on a two-year Royal Australian Navy exchange. Ballarat is an Anzac-class frigate, the same class as Royal New Zealand Navy frigates HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Te Mana.

“After training, me and five mates packed up and drove across the Nullarbor which was an amazing experience and something I never thought I would do,” SLT Stainton said.

“I wasn’t really sure what to expect because this was my first sea posting but Ballarat has great people that have been extremely welcoming and made me feel like any other member of the crew.”

Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft conduct a low pass over HMAS Ballarat while sailing off the coast of Malaysia during Exercise Bersama Lima 25.

Ballarat was on the hardstand undergoing maintenance and upgrades when SLT Stainton posted in.

This enabled SLT Stainton to focus on integrating with the crew and learning the ship, achieving his officer of the day qualification soon after joining.

Once back at sea, SLT Stainton was able to focus on consolidating his training as a Weapons Electrical Engineering Officer.

“The job of the Weapons Electrical department at sea is to maintain the ships weapons, communication systems, radars, sonars and lasers,” SLT Stainton said.

At one point SLT Stainton led the Weapons Electrical Engineering Department during the absence of the Head and Deputy head of department.

His commendation details his exceptional dedication and selfless commitment to Ballarat’s capability.

“Your approachable demeanour, combined with an unwavering work ethic, has made you a respected member of HMAS Ballarat,” said Commander Dean Uren, Commanding Officer.

SLT Stainton spoke highly of the opportunity to serve in an Australian warship.

“Having the opportunity to work alongside New Zealand’s ally and neighbour has been a really rewarding experience,” SLT Stainton said.

“Taking the ship from the hardstand, through major weapon systems upgrades, an operational deployment and now a regional presence deployment is really special.”

Regional presence deployments are Australia’s contribution to maintaining collective security in the Indo-Pacific, in collaboration with partner nations.

This deployment will mark the end of a memorable two years for SLT Stainton.

“I’ve learned a lot and gained a lot of experience during my time in Australia but it really is the people that make it,” SLT Stainton said.

“I’ve met some amazing people on this journey; friendships I’ll definitely have for life.”

SLT Stainton is studying to attain his Weapons Electrical Certificate of Competency which he hopes to achieve prior to returning to New Zealand in December.

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Mar. 15, 1950: A collection of photos from a joint RAN, RNZN exercise as the ships came into Auckland Harbour.

jcnz16613October 2, 2025All RNZN/NZDF News Past and PresentEdit

HMAS SYDNEY leads a fleet entry into Auckland after combined RAN and RNZN exercises.

HMAS SYDNEY [III] leads 11 RAN and RNZN ships into Waitemata Harbour, Auckland

HMAS SYDNEY [III] and HMAS AUSTRALIA [II] lead ceremonial entry into Auckland Harbour

F625 HMNZS Rotoiti, F517 HMNZS Tutira, F424 HMNZS Pukaki and ahead of Pukaki, HMNZS Taupo (no Penant number)

In March 1950, a series of combined naval exercises occurred in the Auckland area, involving four Royal New Zealand Navy Loch-class frigates (HMNZS Taupo, Rotoiti, Tutira, and Pukaki) alongside the Australian frigate HMAS Murchison. These exercises also included the Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney, destroyers, and cruisers, though the focus was on the frigates operating in Akaroa Harbour.

Details of the Exercise

Participants: The Royal New Zealand Navy and Royal Australian Navy participated.
RNZN Loch-class frigates: The specific frigates involved were HMNZS Taupo, Rotoiti, Tutira, and Pukaki.
Other ships: The Royal Australian Navy contributed HMAS Murchison, the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney, and destroyers HMAS Bataan and Warramunga.
Location: The activities took place in Akaroa Harbour.
Significance: The exercises were a significant event for the RNZN and RAN, highlighting cooperation between the two navies in the post-World War II era.

Context

These exercises occurred just months before the outbreak of the Korean War, which would soon see several RNZN Loch-class frigates deployed to the theatre.
The presence of an aircraft carrier like HMAS Sydney underscored the increasing importance of naval aviation in combined operations.

Courtesy of Reddit post – https://www.reddit.com/r/WarshipPorn/comments/qyidpe/mar_15_1950_a_collection_of_photos_from_a_joint/

Following several weeks of joint exercises, the port entry into Auckland of the combined RAN and RNZN fleets in mid-March, 1950, was a significant local event – the largest gathering of warships in Auckland since WWII.

Seen in the first image, HMAS Sydney [III] leads the cruiser HMNZS Bellona, destroyer HMAS Warramuga, heavy cruiser HMAS Australia [II], Bay class frigate HMAS Murchison and four RNZN frigates, indistinguishable at this distance.

In the second image seven of the 11 ships involved in the Mar. 1950 Fleet Entry at Auckland are seen here itself, with HMAS SYDNEY with the Modified Dido Class cruiser HMNZS BELLONA astern, with heavy cruiser HMAS AUSTRALIA [II] fourth in line amidst two RAN destroyers, WARRAMUNGA [I] AND BATAAAN, and two RNZN frigates following, with the remaining vessels out of the image.

The third image just shows the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney and heavy cruiser HMAS Australia

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