Navy frigate set for weekend berth

While easily seen by the public, only a select few will get up close during the first visit of a Navy frigate to Nelson in nearly 10 years.

The HMNZS Te Mana, will make a brief port visit to Nelson next Friday.

Regional Naval Officer for Nelson Cathy Knight said the ship’s visit was coincided with the Navy’s 75th anniversary celebrations and was making a stopover after a training exercise with the Royal Australian Navy.

It leads into a busy programme of events for our naval vessels, including next month’s International Naval Review.

‘‘This is a bit of an R and R, a standard port visit,’’ she said.

The 118m- long vessel is one of ten Anzac class frigates and one of two serving in the Royal New Zealand Navy .

Translating as ‘‘status’’ or ‘‘authority’’ in Maori, the ship was laid down under the joint Anzac project by Tenix Defence Systems at Williamstown, Victoria in 1996 and commissioned into the Navy in 1999.

Next week’s visit will be the first to Nelson by Te Mana, and the first by a New Zealand frigate since Te Kaha back in 2007.

In between then, Australian frigates the HMAS Anzac and HMAS Arunta visited in 2010, followed by the HMAS Sydney in 2014. As with August’s visit by supply ship HMNZS Endeavour, a number of visits for groups have been arranged but there are no opportunities open to the general public.

However the public will be able to see the ship from the wharf side and there will also be a good view of the ship as she comes into the harbour from about 9am on Friday.

The ship will be under the command of Commander Simon Griffiths, and has 150 personnel in total. The HMNZS Te Mana will be based at the Lay Up No.1 berth, off the end of Vickerman St.