Problems delaying six new navy ships are close to being resolved, with the first ship likely to be delivered within weeks, but offshore patrol vessels Otago and Wellington may still be months away.
Of the seven new ships built under the $500 million Project Protector programme, only the multi-role vessel, HMNZS Canterbury, has been delivered.
They were due to be delivered in 2007.
Problems have plagued the 85m Otago and Wellington and both are still in the water in Melbourne, the latest issue of the Navy Today magazine said.
Last November, the 70 crew from the two ships had to be sent home while the Ministry of Defence and the ships' builder negotiated multiple contractual issues, the magazine said.
It was thought then the ships would be at least six months away from being commissioned.
But the contractual issues have yet to be resolved.
Both ships were given sea trials last year, with Otago undergoing follow-up trials in December.
The ships were said to be complete, but there were matters still being resolved with the contractor, BAE Systems Australia.
The ships' cranes and fittings had "technical issues", and needed certification.
They should get that in the next two months, the magazine said.
There was also a problem with provision of compliant sea boats, and with the weight of the ships.
An ice protection belt, installed so the ships can be used in the Ross Sea, would sit below the waterline when extra weight was added for operational equipment and repairs.
It was "critical" the ice belt sat on the waterline, especially as a build-up of ice on the ships would add extra weight.
HMNZS Canterbury was commissioned in June 2007, but it has also had problems, including with its engines, which prevent the ship operating at sea in storms and very heavy seas.
"A warranty issue" in Canterbury related to the engine lubrication system in high seas, when the ship was pitching and rolling.
In the interim, the navy was "managing the ship's ability to operate in heavy weather through accurate weather forecasting and storm avoidance".
The navy has already replaced Canterbury's two rigid-hulled inflatable seaboats after it lost one and the other was badly damaged when heavy seas hit the alcoves where they were stored on either side of the ship.
BAE had designed gull wing doors on hydraulic rams to protect the alcoves in heavy seas.
The design was being considered by the Ministry of Defence and the navy, but in the meantime, the boats were being stored on the flight deck.
The original Gemini inflatable boats supplied with the ship were found to be inadequate and have been replaced by Zodiac boats.
