The four inshore patrol vessels, part of the Government's $500 million Project Protector programme, sailed on training or patrol duties.
The four 340-tonne, 55-metre patrol vessels, HMNZS Rotoiti, HMNZS Taupo, HMNZS Pukaki and HMNZS Hawea, were joined by an older patrol craft, HMNZS Kahu, which is about to be taken out of commission.
HMNZS Rotoiti, under the command of Lieutenant Andrew Hogg, was starting a patrol.
HMNZS Hawea, commanded by Lieutenant Grant Judson, was on sea training. HMNZS Pukaki, commanded by Lieutenant John McQueen, was also on sea training for officer of the watch duties before heading to Akaroa and Wellington, and her first visit to her home ports of Nelson and in Marlborough next month.
HMNZS Taupo, was also scheduled for officer of the watch training under the command of Lieutenant Jonathan Clarkson, before joining HMNZS Pukaki to visit Akaroa and Wellington and her home port of Whangarei next month. HMNZS Kahu, under the command of Lieutenant Maurice (Muzz) Kennett, also left Auckland today for sea training before her final visit to Napier and Whangarei.
Kahu, which entered service as HMNZS Manawanui in 1978, and was the navy's dive tender, would be decommissioned next month, said the navy.
The vessels were built in Whangarei under the Project Protector scheme which saw the navy get seven new ships -- the inshore patrol vessels, two offshore patrol vessels and the multi-role ship HMNZS Canterbury.
The four patrol vessels each had a range of 3000 nautical miles (nearly 6000km) and a top speed of 25 knots.
