NZ Naval Vessel To Be Based Here
The Republic of Fiji Navy chief has welcomed the deployment of the Royal New Zealand Navy Inshore Patrol Vessel that will come to Fiji next month.
The HMNZ Hawea will be here for six months.
Captain (Navy) Humphrey Tawake said the arrangement would fill the void left by the HMFS Kikau which will be in Australia for a refit.
“It’s a patrol vessel to assist us in our maritime surveillance and other protection of our maritime zone,” he said.
“It will also be an ideal platform for the training of our personnel.”
The announcement was made on Thursday in a joint statement by the New Zealand and Fijian Defence Ministers.
New Zealand’s Gerry Brownlee said: “This is an excellent opportunity for New Zealand to partner with Fiji on maritime security and protecting fisheries – important issues not only to Fiji but also to New Zealand and the wider region.
“Fiji is an Island nation, like New Zealand, and therefore protecting our maritime resources is extremely important,” Mr Brownlee said.
Minister for Defence Ratu Inoke Kubuabola welcomed the New Zealand vessel supporting Fiji to patrol its exclusive economic zone and protect its regional fisheries resources.
“The Republic of Fiji Military Forces and Fijian fisheries personnel will work closely with the New Zealand crew on board during the course of the deployment to Fiji,” ratu Inoke said.
“I’m pleased to work with New Zealand as one of our close partners in the region, not only to conduct maritime patrols, but also to train together and to strengthen our people-to-people links.”
In a joint Communique, countries represented at the South Pacific Defence Ministers meeting emphasised the importance of timely information sharing to enhance their collective situational awareness and ability to respond co-operatively to future events in the region.
Australia, Chile, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga were represented at the 2-day meeting in Auckland.
Ratu Inoke and Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander, Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto attended.
The next South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting will be hosted here in 2019. Edited by Ranoba Baoa
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