The navy's newest ship arrives in Auckland today nearly two years late.
The 85-metre long offshore patrol vessel, HMNZS Otago was due in New Zealand from the shipbuilders in Melbourne in the middle of 2008 but a range of issues delayed the final acceptances of the ship by the navy.
More than a fortnight ago as the ship was about to leave on its maiden voyage to New Zealand faults in both engines delayed its departure and the ship limped back into port on one engine.
The engine faults were repaired under warranty and the ship sailed from Melbourne earlier this week for the four-day voyage across the Tasman Sea.
The navy said the new ship would sail up the Hauraki Gulf and into Auckland's Waitemata Harbour today accompanied by two other new navy ships, the new inshore patrol vessels, HMNZS Hawea and HMNZS Taupo.
On board would be Defence Minister Wayne Mapp and other top navy brass, including the navy's maritime component commander, Commodore Ross Smith.
Cdre Smith said today there were always delays in ship building projects but the navy was getting a particularly good deal for $500 million in the Project Protector programme which would give the navy seven new ships.
"We are particularly happy with what has been delivered and will put them to good use," he told Radio New Zealand.
Otago is the second to last ship to be delivered in the programme. The multi-role ship HMNZS Canterbury and four inshore patrol vessels have all been commissioned.
Otago was one of two offshore patrol vessels. Her sister ship HMNZS Wellington was nearly finished at the BAE Systems shipyard in Melbourne and was due to be delivered to the navy later this year.
Otago was ice strengthened for work in the Southern Ocean.
The navy said both Otago and Wellington would work with other government agencies, including the Ministry of Fisheries, police, Maritime New Zealand and the Department of Conservation around New Zealand, in the Pacific and the Southern Ocean.
The primary tasks of the new offshore patrol vessels would include maritime counter-terrorism, surveillance and reconnaissance, surface contact and boarding of other vessels, and maritime search and rescue.
The ship has a top speed of 22 knots and a range of 6000 nautical miles. It carries a crew of 35 but can take an additional 34 people, depending on its tasking.
