HMNZS Aotearoa, which has returned to New Plymouth for a six-day visit, will be opening for public tours on Saturday, allowing the community to see the inner workings of the vessel that carries Taranaki’s name as its ceremonial home port.
Commanding Officer, Commander Rob Welford, said the crew is proud to show off the ship. He noted that everything about Aotearoa is built for scale and capability, from its fuel capacity to its ability to operate in the freezing conditions of Antarctica.
The ship has had a busy few years since its last visit to New Plymouth in 2023. It recently completed a resupply mission to McMurdo Station and Scott Base and spent time in Asia supporting United Nations sanctions against North Korea.
Public access begins and ends at Port Taranaki’s East Gate on Ocean View Parade, near the New Plymouth Yacht Club. Buses will shuttle groups from the tree-covered area at Ngāmotu Beach to the vessel and back. If you're over 16, you must take photo ID to enter the port area.
Organisers are warning that queues are likely to be long, similar to previous visit where demand exceeded capacity. It's recommended to arrive early to avoid missing out on the 10:00am to 3:30pm sessions.
The tour involves navigating narrow corridors and steep ship stairwells. Because of this, the experience is not suitable for those with limited mobility or wheelchairs.
Visitors should wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes with good grip. Jandals and high heels are not allowed on board for safety reasons. With the sun likely to be out, don't forget to take water and sun protection.
