The first of the navy's two offshore patrol ships is about to head off on its maiden voyage to New Zealand.
On Monday, the 1600 tonne, 85 metre-long ship, HMNZS Otago, will leave Melbourne, where it was built, and head for the Devonport naval base in Auckland.
The ship was part of the $500 million Project Protector plan under which the navy would get seven new ships, the multi-role ship HMNZS Canterbury, four inshore patrol vessel and two offshore patrol ships.
She is due to arrive in Auckland next Friday.
The ship's commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Simon Rooke from Kawerau, said the ship was a hive of activity and excitement as the crew prepared for Monday's sailing.
It will be accompanied into Auckland by the inshore patrol vessels Hawea and Taupo and welcomed at the base by a haka party.
The ship was accepted into the navy by chief of navy Rear Admiral Tony Parr last month.
He said Otago and her sister ship, HMNZS Wellington, would deliver substantial new capability to the navy.
"The ships can go further offshore, stay at sea longer, conduct more challenging operations than the inshore patrol vessels, and will enable the navy to conduct patrol and surveillance operations around New Zealand, the Southern Ocean and into the Pacific."
The navy said the offshore patrol vessels' functions would include maritime patrol, surveillance and response. They could carry a Seasprite helicopter and had ice-strengthened hulls for Southern Ocean patrols.
They would carry a crew of 35, with up to 10 flight crew and up to 30 additional personnel.
The ship's armament includes a 25mm Bushmaster naval gun and two .50 calibre machine guns.
