Overdue and overweight, offshore patrol vessel HMNZS Otago will soon be over here.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed the vessel will arrive at its home port of Dunedin "before winter".
Since May last year, the ministry has negotiated with contractor BAE Systems about concerns over the weight of the Melbourne-built vessel, which was estimated to be more than 100 tonnes overweight.
Deputy secretary for acquisitions Des Ashton confirmed the parties had reached an agreement over the contract, including compensation, but declined to comment further.
Otago would be handed to the navy and delivered to its home port of Dunedin "before winter", and its sister ship Wellington after that, he said.
Otago was scheduled to be handed over in April 2007, and Wellington in October that year.
"I have seen the ships and they are fantastic," Mr Ashton said.
While both vessels were lighter than previously thought, the navy would still be required to manage the vessels' weights to ensure their longevity, he said.
"A heavier vessel floated lower in the water and would require modifications in the "latter stages of its life".
An official announcement on the vessels is expected to be made this month.
