Jul 08 - HMNZS Te Kaha 2008
From Christmas through to 14 January 2008, TE KAHA was in a reduced availability and Part Annual Leave period was in force to allow the ship's company to have some time with family over Christmas. On 16 January our new CO, CDR Mat Williams, assumed command at a special ceremony held in Auckland. On 18 January we attended Fleet Divisions – a large parade involving the whole fleet, both sea-going and shore-based.
Image Right: From left, LT Hayden Wilson, CDR Mat Williams, and Mayor of Auckland City, Hon. John Banks inspecting Te Kaha’s Guard (MC 08-0042-18).
On Auckland Anniversary Day we held a Ship Open to Visitors day alongside Princes Wharf in Auckland, which was very popular. For all of February and March, we conducted Harbour training. This involved operating in Devonport Naval base, practicing and revising theory for all aspects of our normal operation, from Navigation and seamanship through damage control, fire fighting, first aid training and weapons command and control drills, without ever going to sea.
Above Image: Te Kaha “dressed” for Anniversary day races, Auckland’s skyline is in the background. (MC 08-0044-13).
In April we entered a deep maintenance period for all of April, May and part of June. During this time the ship underwent maintenance on the various systems on board that enable us to fight, move and float. This included Diesel engines, the Gas Turbine, weapons systems, and “Hotel Services” such as plumbing, air-conditioning, painting etc. While the maintenance was being conducted the ship's company also enjoyed the opportunity to participate in adventure training: either white-water rafting or alpine adventure training based from the Navy Alpine club at Ohakune.
Above Image: One of the Navy’s 40-foot sail training craft, Paea II, sails past Te Kaha’s bow on Auckland Anniversary day. The dressing flags are flown in a particular order by all ships. (MC 08-0044-03).
At the end of June we spent the week at sea performing sea trials, including a full power trial in which the ship achieved a maximum speed above 27 knots.
For July and August, before we leave Auckland for port visits to Lyttleton (Christchurch) and Wellington, we’ll be ramping up our activities and training to reach our required state of readiness in time for our deployment to South East Asia to take part in a major international exercise. Following a courtesy visit to Thailand, we will sail to Western Australia for bi-lateral training with the Royal Australian Navy during October and November. The current plan has the ship home in time to be reunited with friends and family for Christmas.