The Governor-General of New Zealand’s visit to Tokelau, the upgrade of critical tsunami and volcano monitoring equipment on Raoul Island, and a search and rescue operation near Tonga were among the achievements of the New Zealand Defence Force’s first extensive operation to the South-West Pacific this year.
With New Zealand Army and Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel aboard, military sealift vessel HMNZS Canterbury under the name Operation Calypso covered 4580 nautical miles without the ship needing to take on additional food or fuel over 23 days.
Commanding Officer, Commander Wayne Andrew, said the mission was a busy one for everyone and was one of the best examples of Service interoperability he had seen.
“With two NH90 helicopters and crew, and supporting personnel from the NZ Army’s 5 Movements Company, this was a tri-service operation covering a range of tasks supporting New Zealand Government agencies in our Pacific neighbourhood.”
MetService personnel were aboard to assess available meteorological observing resources on the three atolls, and a New Zealand Police officer met the Tokelau Chief of Police and took part in community engagements.
Commander Andrew said the NZDF’s strong Pacific connections were an important part of the mission.
“Not only was the ship there for the centenary of New Zealand’s administration of Tokelau, but two Tokelauan members of the Navy were able to reunite with their families there.”
The ship’s company also had two Tongan speakers who were able to translate when Canterbury was last week called on to rescue two men drifting 105 nautical miles south of Tonga.
“Seeing the reaction when our two Tokelauan personnel were welcomed home was incredibly emotional for everyone who witnessed this, and having two Tongan speakers within our ship’s company meant we could reassure the rescued sailors that we would be delivering them home,” Commander Andrew said.
The ship’s final stop at Raoul Island allowed crew working parties to clear overgrowth from the Homestead and Green Lake areas, while NH90 helicopters and 5 Movements Company personnel secured and flew MetService and Earth Sciences NZ (ESNZ) personnel and equipment to remote parts of the island.
Critical tsunami and volcano monitoring equipment on Raoul Island, which provide an early warning system for New Zealand and the region, were upgraded.
As Canterbury returned to Devonport Naval Base this week, Commander Andrew reflected on what the mission had achieved.
“All the people who joined the ship from Her Excellency the Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro through to the MetService and ESNZ scientists and technicians, NZ Police, Army and Air Force personnel, fully immersed themselves in the ship’s culture and added to it.
“Canterbury’s motto is Kotahitanga (Unity) and this was certainly on display throughout.”
