Category : News
Author: Brianna Mcilraith

Walking through HMNZS Aotearoa was enough to convince eight-year-old Liam Patrick that he’d made the right future career choice.

He was among about 3000 people who turned up to New Plymouth's Port Taranaki on Monday to look around the Royal New Zealand Navy’s newest and biggest ship at her public open day.

The event was meant to have taken place on Saturday, but was postponed due to rough ocean conditions.

Thousands attended the HMNZS Aotearoa open day on Monday.
Thousands attended the HMNZS Aotearoa open day on Monday.

“This is so cool,” Liam said as he looked about the bridge.

 “Liam wants to go to the navy when he’s older, so this has been a ‘let’s see what we've got him into’ thing,” his mum, Rose Patrick, said.
 

They had travelled from Waitara and arrived half an hour before the open day started at 11am.

But owing to the huge number of people who turned out for a taste of life aboard the vessel, it took the Patricks more than an hour to get on to a bus that was transporting visitors through the port.

But even the bus was exciting for Liam, as it was the biggest bus he’d ever been on.

People queued for more than an hour to get onboard the ship, which was docked at Port Taranaki.
People queued for more than an hour to get onboard the ship, which was docked at Port Taranaki.

The 173-metre-long HMNZS Aotearoa is a supply ship and although she will reside in Devonport, Auckland, Port Taranaki is her ceremonial home. It’s a tradition that dates back years and serves to connect the navy with the regions.

People got to have a good look around the bridge.
People got to have a good look around the bridge.

HMNZS Aotearoa can carry 11-million litres of fuel and is designed to help out other vessels.

She will support combat operations and training missions around the world, as well as delivering humanitarian aid and disaster relief when called upon.

AET Phebe Taylor talks about the navy's rigid-hull inflatable boats.
AET Phebe Taylor talks about the navy's rigid-hull inflatable boats.

Sub-lieutenant Jordan Appleton said it was a great experience to be able to her up to the public.

“It’s been pretty awesome just letting people come and see our ship and showing people what our ship looks like,” he said.

Five-year-old Ryder Duggan has a go on a fire hose.
Five-year-old Ryder Duggan has a go on a fire hose.

He hoped the tour inspired people young and old to consider a career in the navy.

And that’s exactly what it did for 11-year-old New Plymouth boy Ben Broadhurst.

Ben Broadhurst,11, tries on some firefighting gear.
Ben Broadhurst,11, tries on some firefighting gear.

“It’s just really cool being able to see all this stuff and come on the ship,” he said while trying on a New Zealand Defence Force firefighter kit.

Seeing the weapons was his favourite part of the visit to the 26,000 tonne vessel.

HMNZS Aotearoa seen arriving at Port Taranaki on Wednesday, April 21.
HMNZS Aotearoa seen arriving at Port Taranaki on Wednesday, April 21.

The open day was the final event of HMNZS Aotearoa’s week-long visit to its ceremonial home.

On Friday, the ship’s company took part in a charter parade down Devon St, following formal celebrations at Puke Ariki Landing.

HMNZS Aotearoa will depart at midday on Tuesday, heading back to Auckland.

 
 
Article: https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/124949763/thousands-show-up-to-get-a-closer-look-at-hmnzs-aotearoa-in-new-plymouth
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