The naval warship returned to Dunedin for the first time in 20 years between deployments to train new crew and give the public an opportunity to see what it is like on board.
It had a crew of about 140, who were all keen to interact with the public at its open day tomorrow at the Fryatt St wharf, commanding officer Commander Andy Hunt said.
Cmdr Hunt took over the warship on October 17 after it returned from deployment in the Middle East.
He said it was a privilege to bring it back to Dunedin.
The city had a lot of maritime links.
"I think it’s important when we’re out doing our sea training that we get to see places like this."
A lot was on the agenda while the ship was in Dunedin, including a visit from the Mayor Sophie Barker, visits from schools and a open day for the general public, he said.
"My sailors can’t wait to interact with the general public. It’s what we love to do."
Cmdr Hunt said it was important the community knew Te Kaha was their ship.
The ship boasted impressive features including a hangar that could take a helicopter, missiles, torpedoes and guns.
However, the warship was very agile and got a lot of use in helping aid humanitarian responses, Cmdr Hunt said.
"We’re actually a multifaceted warship, albeit, yes, we are combat capable, but actually we’re so much more than that."
In the Middle East, the ship was involved in drug interdiction work in the Gulf for about three months.
It supported a New Zealand task force in Bahrain in a multinational endeavour against the drugs trade.
It had been a busy year for Te Kaha and the ship’s company, which began with the monitoring of a Chinese Task Group in the Tasman Sea.
That was followed by a three-month anti-piracy deployment in the Arabian Sea, before the ship worked alongside a UK Carrier Task Group through the Indian Ocean.
Tomorrow, a guided tour of the ship would be available for the public.
Closed-toe footwear was required to board the ship, and a good level of fitness was required to traverse a gangway with guardrails and negotiate a series of steep ladders and narrow corridors.
