international otago enters port aVatiu, rarotonga. lsCs konrad Cook and exCHange offiCer slt kane stuart (ran) on tHe bridge during offiCer of tHe watCH ManoeuVres. 8 NT162AUGUST11 lt Cdr rooke and Cook islands CoMMissioner of poliCe Maara tetaVa on tHe bridge of HMnZs otago. WWW.NAVY.MIL.NZ
lsa noel HiroVaana returns to rarotonga on HMnZs otago. Apia, OTAGO was requested to provide medical evacuation for a patient with extreme respiratory issues. With OTAGO being able to provide a greater degree of medical support, patient comfort and, if required, a speedier passage back to Samoa, the request was accepted and the patient, atoll's doctor and patient's chaperones embarked OTAGO. On Friday 27th OTAGO berthed in Apia for the second time in seven days. The difference this weekend was that ANZAC class frigate, HMAS PERTH, was also alongside. Over the weekend sailors from both Navies’ visited each other’s ships, and on Monday OTAGO sailed along with PERTH and Samoan Police Patrol Vessel NAFANUA to undertake manoeuvres. For Sub Lieutenant Jeff Lura of the Canadian Forces this was the highlight of the deployment. “Speaking as a Canadian serving in an RNZN ship, getting the chance to drive an Australian frigate in a Replenishment Approach was an unexpected and very memorable experience.” Day eiGHteen tHe tUna BeLt & rarOtOnGa The next phase of the deployment involved a patrol through the Pacific Tuna Belt to Rarotonga with three Samoan Maritime Police personnel and two Cook Islands Fisheries Officers onboard. This part of the patrol was designed to develop relationships with Fisheries Officers from the Pacific Islands for future combined EEZ patrols. After a successful three day patrol OTAGO positioned itself north of Avatiu Harbour, Rarotonga, for rendezvous with the Cook Islands Patrol Vessel TE KUKUPA. OTAGO and TE KUKUPA carried out a boat transfer of the Cook Islands Commissionaire of Police, Commissioner M Tetava, then 90 minutes of Officer of the Watch manoeuvres and replenishment approaches. Over the following days OTAGO hosted several official functions for dignitaries, including the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, the Right Honourable Mr Henry Puna. An Official Reception with the <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong> High Commissioner, Her Excellency Ms Linda Te Puni was also held, with a wide range of political, government and expatriate guests enjoying a few hours onboard the first OPV visit to Rarotonga. A highlight of the reception was the passionate and impressive performance of OTAGO’s kapa haka group which was so well received that Cook Island Maori guests performed an impromptu Waiata in recognition of the quality of the OTAGO groups performance. Saturday was the first opportunity for the Ship’s Company to visit the Island’s market and see the sights. Several crew members also had family links to the Islands. “To be honest, it was a bit weird returning to Rarotonga with the <strong>Navy</strong>, because I was mixing work with a place that is very special to me”, said Leading Stores Assistant (LSA) Noel Hirovaana who was born in Rarotonga. “Who else rides their work into port?” On Sunday the ship held an open day and hosted 571 visitors, mostly expatriate <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong>ers and local school children. The children were completing research questionnaires for their school projects on marine resource and environmental protection, which had been initiated to coincide with OTAGO’s visit. Day twenty nine niUe Leaving Rarotonga, OTAGO then conducted an EEZ patrol between the Cook Islands and Niue. On arrival at Niue OTAGO anchored off Afoli Harbour for 24 hours. Although the visit was short <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong>’s High Commissioner, His Excellency Mark Blumsky, said that OTAGO and her crew did the <strong>Navy</strong> proud. “The ship and her crew did a splendid job, even losing to the local side at Touch rugby,” said Mark Blumsky. “Visits like this are critical to patrolling the surrounding waters and protecting the marine assets of Niue. It also does wonder in cementing the relationship between the two nations.” Mark Blumsky said that the reception held at the High Commission was a highlight on many of the locals’ calendars. “Having LT CDR Rooke and crew join the locals for a relaxed, fun BBQ was a great way to end a very worthwhile visit ashore". Day tHirty five raOUL OTAGO departed Niue for Raoul Island where she uplifted DoC personnel who had been dropped on the Island during the first leg of the deployment five weeks previous. Once the seven DoC personnel and stores were embarked, OTAGO began the final leg home of an eventful and successful deployment. LT CDR Simon Rooke said the deployment saw the coming of age of the OPV’s. “WELLINGTON has successfully proven the ability to operate at the Southern end of the OPV’s operational area (Ross Sea), and now OTAGO has successfully proven the ability to perform in the Pacific.” In coming years OTAGO and WELLINGTON will undertake regular patrols into the Pacific to support <strong>New</strong> <strong>Zealand</strong>’s interests in the region, and to support the interests of our Pacific Island Neighbours. The success of this first patrol, and the goodwill it created, has set the standard for coming years. WWW.NAVY.MIL.NZ NT162AUGUST11 9
Change language