The navy's newest ship, the fault prone HMNZS Otago, is once again being forced to return to port.
The offshore patrol vessel suffered an electrical fault in one of its engines while on a visit to the remote sub-Antarctic Campbell Island.
A New Zealand Defence spokesman said engineers had carried out temporary repairs, and both engines were now working, but the ship would have to return to Auckland's Devonport Naval Base for permanent repairs.
The ship was currently moored in Perseverance Harbour on Campbell Island.
The fault is the latest in a string of problems for the ship which had its delivery delayed by engine problems and then suffered gearbox problems on its maiden voyage to Dunedin.
Last month the ship was forced to return from its maiden overseas voyage after fuel contaminated by salt water made it into its engine.
The ship was part of the $500 million Project Protector which saw seven new ships added to the fleet, including Otago and Wellington, the multi-role ship HMNZS Canterbury and four inshore patrol vessels.
