Two New Zealand Navy ships expected in Tahiti

Two New Zealand Navy ships, HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Endeavour, will soon arrive in Papeete.

Frigate Te Kaha will arrive in the Papeete harbor July 29 whereas fleet replenishment tanker Endeavour will be in Tahiti July 31, a French Navy press release states.

The two ships are scheduled to stay in the Papeete harbor until August 2, the press release adds.

Their home port is New Plymouth, New Zealand. They recently took part in the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy.

HMNZS Te Kaha is one of ten Anzac class frigates, and one of two serving in the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN).

The name Te Kaha is maori, meaning "fighting prowess" or "strength". Te Kaha was laid down in Victoria, Australia on September 1994.

Te Kaha is 118 metres (387 ft) long and can travel at 27 knots (50 km/h). The frigate carries a 5-inch (127 mm) gun, Sea Sparrow missile system, and one KAMAN SH-2G Super Seasprite helicopter.

Te Kaha was involved in the September 1999 landing of the United Nations International Force in East Timor. The frigate was also involved in the Solomon Islands conflict during 2000-2001.

HMNZS Endeavour is a fleet replenishment tanker. The ship carries supplies and fuel for RNZN (Royal New Zealand Navy), Commonwealth and Allied surface units.

The tanker can resupply ships at sea, or in overseas ports from the 7,500 tonnes of fuel in her eight tanks, or the supplies held in the four containers on deck.

HMNZS Endeavour can also provide fuel to helicopters fitted with in flight refuelling.

Commissioned in South Korea on April 1988, the tanker is the third RNZN ship with this name, the original being the HM Barque Endeavour that carried Captain James Cook, on his first voyage to New Zealand.

ATP