The Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), Rear Admiral John Martin, visited Fiji to mark the 43rd anniversary of the Fijian Navy.

While in Suva he met the Commander of the Fiji Military Forces, Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto, and joined the Captain (Navy) Humphey Tawake, in celebrating the Fijian Navy’s milestone.

He also visited Stanley Brown Naval Base in Walu Bay to attend the Navy Midshipman Graduation Parade.

Rear Admiral Martin said the New Zealand-Fiji relationship was one based on respect, cultural ties and shared interests.

“My meetings with Fijian military leaders have reaffirmed and strengthened those links and came with an assurance of continued support,” he said.

While in Suva, Rear Admiral Martin hosted an official function on HMNZS Taupo, which is based in Suva.

The deployment of RNZN ships provide a valuable training experience for sailors of the Fijian Navy. Photo: New Zealand Defence Force

For the second consecutive year, the NZDF has deployed one of its inshore patrol vessels to help Fiji patrol its exclusive economic zone of more than 1.2 million square kilometres.

“The New Zealand Defence Force is proud to support the Fijian Military Forces in responding to maritime security challenges in the region. Together we are delivering a maritime partnership to deal with threats to regional security” said Rear Admiral John Martin.

“The current deployment of HMNZS Taupo and the upcoming deployment of HMNZS Otago to Fiji to assist with fishery monitoring is an obvious example of this.”

Source: New Zealand Defence Force