Te Kaha crew return in time for Christmas
There were emotional scenes at Devonport’s Naval Base yesterday when crew onboard HMNZS Te Kaha were reunited with family and friends just before Christmas.
HMNZS Te Kaha and her crew sailed back in to Auckland after six months under Covid-19 lockdown conditions.
Te Kaha has been in Canada since 2018, receiving upgrades on its missiles, anti-ship missile decoys, sonar and underwater telephone, and torpedo defence system.
However, since June, the 140 officers and crew onboard have been under lockdown conditions.
Yesterday, about 800 of the ship’s family and friends gathered at Devonport’s Naval Base to welcome the ship’s return.
Te Kaha announced its arrival with a rumbling 27-gun salute which was returned by the base to acknowledge the commander of the ship.
Once berthed, the Te Kaha crew performed a haka, before the commanding officer’s family were first on board.
Brock Symmons has been away from his family for six months and missed out on the birth of his baby girl, Maggie, 12 weeks ago.
Kelly Symmons, her son George and little baby Maggie were all excited to see Symmons again.
Maggie happily snoozed under the Sunday sun.
Kelly said it had been a hard six months, in which they moved house, got a new cat, and she gave birth toMaggie.
The commanding officer said he was grateful for his ‘‘strong wife’’ and was looking forward to spending time with the family.
He said he also was proud of Te Kaha’s crew, who also underwent training on the upgraded capabilities of the ship as well as conducting sea trials. They also carried out combined operations with the US Navy, Symmons said.
Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Proctor and Minister of Defence Peeni Henare were also welcomed onboard.
Some crew members have been on board for more than 1000 days while others flew over to Canada in June and have been under lockdown conditions.