New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa
Media Release
Tuesday 1 August, 2006

NZ Navy to Visit Japan

New Zealand Navy Ships Te Kaha and Endeavour will visit Tokyo, Japan from 4-8 August. The New Zealand ships will be hosted by Japanese destroyer, JDS Harusame.

With 166 crew onboard, JDS Harusame acts as escort ship as the New Zealanders enter Toyko. They will berth beside Te Kaha and Endeavour, and provide support throughout the ships visit. The New Zealand sailors have additionally been challenged to a game of soccer against the Japanese crew during their visit.

JDS Harusame, and HMNZ Ships Te Kaha and Endeavour sail on 8 August. They will remain operating at sea together for a five-hour period. During this time the ships will practise and gain experience working with other navies. They will conduct close ship manoeuvrings, refuelling at sea operations, and a flying serial.

This is the first port visit for Te Kaha and Endeavour in a 5 ½ month deployment around North and South East Asia.

The RNZN’s last visit to Japan was by HMNZ Ships Te Mana and Endeavour in May/ June 2005 in support of the Aichi World Expo. During this visit, the crew will continue to build on the exposure to New Zealand gained during this expo.

ENDS

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