The Royal New Zealand Navy's two new offshore patrol vessels, HMNZS Otago and Wellington will depart on a week-long trip to Campbell Island and the Auckland Islands, with several precious pieces of cargo on board.
A group of 15 scientists will sail to Campbell Island, where they will conduct research for the next nine weeks as part of a bicentennial expedition supported by the 50 Degrees South Trust.
The Governor-General, Sir Anand Satyanand, and Lady Susan Satyanand will also visit the islands with the navy.
The ships will deliver supplies to Campbell Island for the Department of Conservation and undertake heavy sea trials in the Southern Ocean.
The ships are in Bluff, loading gear for the two-day voyage to Campbell Island, and are scheduled to leave tonight. This will be the first time the navy's two newest ships have operated in the southern part of the exclusive economic zone surrounding New Zealand.
The visit, part of the joint Navy and Department of Conservation programme, Operation Endurance, will mark the bicentenary of the discovery of Campbell Island in 1810 by Captain Frederick Hasselborough and the crew of the sealing brig Perseverance, which was owned by Sydney-based shipowner Robert Campbell (hence the name).
The ships will first head for Campbell Island, about 700km south of Bluff, where members of the bicentennial expedition will land and begin setting up the expedition.
The ships will also pick up researchers stationed on the island.
They will then sail to the Auckland Islands where they will pick up researchers stationed there.
Both ships will return to New Zealand, arriving at Port Chalmers on December 12.
Sir Anand said he was looking forward to visiting this remote part of New Zealand. It was a great opportunity to see the flora and fauna of the islands and see navy and other agency staff in action.
"This is one of the last parts of the wider realm of New Zealand we have yet to visit."
While the Governor-General is away from the New Zealand mainland, Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias, will act as Administrator of the Government.
The 15-member team for this, the trust's first project, include young scientists as well as old hands and eminent veteran Don Merton has lent his name as patron.
