New Zealand Defence Force

November 23

Navy Ships Te Kaha and Endeavour Heading Home For Christmas

The Navy ship's HMNZS TE KAHA and ENDEAVOUR are on their way home after five months away. Both ships departed Devonport Naval Base in July 2004 and deployed to a month of intensive crew training including hosting the Prime Minister Helen Clark’s visit to the Tokelau Islands, before sailing for Singapore and their East Asian deployment.

TE KAHA and ENDEAVOUR will make one final port visit to Hobart this weekend before arriving at Devonport Naval Base on Saturday December 4, 2004.

During this deployment, TE KAHA and ENDEAVOUR participated in several exercises with New Zealand’s regional neighbours and conducted goodwill visits to various countries. The largest of these exercises was Exercise BERSAMA LIMA and included forces from the Five-Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) - Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand and the UK. During their time away both ships conducted a variety of operational exercises, activities and Defence Diplomacy visits to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Philippines.

The ships’ companies are now looking forward to returning home in time for Christmas to families and friends and some well-earned rest and recreation.

ENDS

© Scoop Media