A Royal New Zealand Navy vessel HMNZS Hawea is expected to arrive in Fiji this week to help patrol Fijian waters.

Royal Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Headquarters Chief of Staff Colonel Ro Jone Kalouniwai said the vessel was expected to fill the void left by HMFS Kikau and Kula which were taken to Australia for refurbishment. Therefore the NZ Navy will help patrol the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) over the next six months.

Colonel Kalouniwai said with this incoming vessel, a navy-based programme had been organised for the Fiji Navy and NZ Navy officers. The vessel which is expected to depart the Devonport Naval Base in Auckland today.

The New Zealand Defence Forces said they would be conducting maritime surveillance and supporting the Fijian Navy’s capability development.

New Zealand’s Commander Joint Forces, Major General Tim Gall said the fisheries patrols aim was to support effective fisheries management and contribute to efforts to enhance maritime surveillance in the South-west Pacific.

According to the NZ Defence Force statement, Major General Gall said that Hawea would help the RFMF patrol Fiji’s territorial seas and EEZ, which encompassed more than 1.1 million square kilometres. Fijian personnel will also play a role in planning the patrols.

This will be the first time that a New Zealand Navy Inshore Patrol Vessel has been deployed to the South Pacific.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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