New Zealand begins repair work on Te Kaha-class frigate after berthing…

HMNZS Te Kaha , seen here while it was in the Singapore Strait. The frigate has sustained damage to its hull after a berthing accident, and repair work is ongoing. (Janes/Ridzwan Rahmat)

New Zealand has begun work on its lead Te Kaha (Anzac)-class frigate, HMNZS Te Kaha , after the vessel was damaged during a berthing attempt on 16 May.

In response to questions from Janes , a New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) spokesperson disclosed on 27 May that the frigate was attempting to berth at Kauri Point in Auckland when its bow came into contact with the wharf as a result of “near gale-force winds”.

As a result of the contact, Te Kaha sustained minor damage to its bow, the NZDF spokesperson said, further adding that it was “a small, 60 cm split” in the hull above the waterline.

“No personnel were injured in the incident. Port of Auckland tugs were in attendance at the time, assisting the ship to berth,” the spokesperson noted.

Since then Te Kaha is back at the Devonport Naval Base, “and repairs have started, which should be completed within the next 10 days”.

“While the repair work is being conducted, other maintenance and training will be carried out, which will mean there will be negligible impact on the ship's longer-term programme”, the spokesperson said.

The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) has also commenced an internal investigation into the accident on the very day it occurred, and the service is not able to reveal further details on this at the time of publication.

Te Kaha