HMNZS Taranaki at Sydney 28 October 1966 after Exercise Sword Hilt. All the small ships went up under the bridge and around Cockatoo Island while the carriers berthed
HMNZS Taranaki (F148) at the Buoy, Sembawang, Singapore – 1967
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Lander 1- Used to supply HMNZS TAMAKI on Motuihe Island
An ALC 40 Landing Craft, number AB 2180, was purchased in November 1952 from the Australian Army surplus stores in Colmslie, Queensland to improve the transportation of stores around the Hauraki Gulf. AB 2180 was shipped to Auckland on the freighter Waimate, arriving on 20 March 1953 and relieved the Fleet Auxiliary Endeavour for other duties. Renamed Lander 1, she was delivered without engines and used as a towed barge until new engines were installed in November 1954.
Capable of transporting a maximum load of 36.3 tonnes (40 tons – hence Assault Landing Craft, ALC 40) she was used to supply HMNZS TAMAKI on Motuihe Island, Motutapu and other outlying islands in the gulf. Her last duty was moving HMNZS TAMAKI from Motuihe island to Narrow Neck on the North Shore during August and September 1963. Lander 1 was sold around 1963-64 and probably became the Silver Fern at Auckland before sinking on 28 June 1969 of Rockhampton in Queensland.
Length: 20.3 m
Beam: 5.9 m
Displacement: 27 tonnes
Load: 36.3 tonnes (40 tons)
Engines: 2 x diesel, 210 bhp ea
Speed: 7 knots
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Limited Service Volunteer from Whanganui finds his true calling in the Navy
Signing up for the Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) course turned out to be one of the best things to have happened to Liam Hepi, taking him from unemployment to a promising career with the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN).
18 December, 2025
Born in Whanganui, raised in Ōpotiki and Tauranga and of Ngāpuhi and Ngati Kahungunu descent, the 23-year-old said he didn’t have a plan for his future until his Ministry of Social Development (MSD) case manager signed him up for the course.
This voluntary programme for adults aged 18 to 24 years old is run by the New Zealand Defence Force in partnership with MSD, and supports young adults to gain skills to enter full time employment, helping them build routine, resilience and a sense of direction.
“It gave me structure, I built friendships and it gave me back my confidence. It also reminded me of a goal I had since I was younger which was to join the Defence Force or Police,” said Ordinary Communications Warfare Specialist Hepi.
He successfully completed the Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) course earlier this year, which included taking part in the Te Arawhiti programme, a supported pathway into the RNZN for young people after the LSV course, which helps build skills and gives them an introduction to Navy life.
OCWS Hepi with the Commanding Officer of HMNZS Canterbury, Commander Wayne Andrew
The selection process for this was tough, with tests, interviews, and challenges that required real determination. Liam was successful and three weeks after completing the LSV course he was rewarded with a place in the Navy’s Basic Common Training course.
It was clear from the first day he came through the gates of Devonport Naval Base in August that he possessed all the qualities to make a successful Navy trainee.
“Right from the start he lifted those around him. He was always first to offer a hand and share advice, demonstrating real teamwork and care for others. He gives 100% to everything he does and does it all with a smile – setting a strong example to his shipmates,” said Leading Electronic Technician Shannan James, one of his instructors.
A week at sea on HMNZS Canterbury reaffirmed his choice of trades to undertake once he completed his basic training. He selected Communication Warfare Specialist – responsible for the operation of radio systems, satellite networks, cyber-security and tactical ship-to-ship communications.
Last Saturday, Ordinary Communications Warfare Specialist Hepi graduated at Devonport Naval Base, after 15 weeks of Basic Common Training, with 71 other sailors.
Basic Common Training graduates celebrate their success with the time-honoured tradition of throwing their hats into the air at Devonport Naval Base
He now heads into the next stage of his advanced training where he can see himself serving his country for many years.
“I am really proud of how far I have come. There were lots of challenges but I have learnt how your mind is much more powerful than you think it is.”
He has some advice for young people who are in the same position he was.
“Push yourself out of your comfort zone. Try things you’ve never done before. You might just find something you love.”
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HMS Katrine(K625)/HMNZS Rotoiti (F625)
Katrine was a Loch-class frigate of the British Royal Navy, built by Henry Robb at Leith, Scotland, and named after Loch Katrine in Scotland. The ship was laid down on 31 December 1943, launched on 21 August 1944, and completed and commissioned in December 1944. The ship served in World War II as a convoy escort in the Atlantic, and afterwards in the Indian Ocean. Decommissioned in May 1946, the ship was sold to New Zealand in 1948, and renamed HMNZS Rotoiti (F625). The ship saw active service during the Korean War, and was finally sold for scrap in 1965.[1]
Service history
After sea trials Loch Katrine joined the 20th Escort Group based at Derry on 25 January 1945 and was deployed as escort for a Gibraltar convoy. On her return in February the ship was transferred to 24th Escort Group as the Senior Officer’s ship for further Gibraltar convoys until the German surrender in May. The Group was then deployed in the North-Western Approaches to escort surrendering U-boats to Lisahally as part of “Operation Deadlight”.[1]
Loch Katrine returned to Derry to refit before departing in July with Loch Quoich to join the East Indies Escort Force. The ships arrived at Colombo on 4 August, and took part in preparations for planned landings in Malaya (“Operation Zipper”). On 7 September Loch Katrine was at Singapore for the formal surrender ceremonies. Local convoy escort duties and patrols occupied her until December, when she sailed to Batavia to support military operations in Dutch East Indies.[1]
In 1946 she was deployed for convoy escort in the Malacca Strait and Bay of Bengal during repatriation operations, and carried out Air-Sea Rescue duty. In March she departed for the UK, arriving back at Portsmouth on 29 April to decommission, and was placed in Reserve. In 1947 her Pennant number was changed to F625.[1]
Loch Katrine was sold to the Royal New Zealand Navy for £234,150 in 1948, and after refitting was commissioned into RNZN service at Portsmouth on 7 May 1949, and was renamed Rotoiti on 16 May.
