Tuesday 27 October 2009

New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa
Media Advisory
Tuesday 27 October, 2009

The fourth of the new Inshore Patrol Vessels, HMNZS TAUPO, under the Command of Lieutenant Commander Jonathan Clarkson is preparing to conduct a very special first visit to her homeport region. HMNZS TAUPO will berth in Whangarei from Wednesday 28 October to Tuesday 3 November 2009.

During this historical visit HMNZS TAUPO will be involved in a Ceremony of Welcome, the ship will be open to the public, conduct a Charter Parade and host a large number of organised tours, to name but a few of the highlights planned. The Navy Band will perform in a number of venues around the district during the homeport visit.

The Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Tony Parr and the Lady Sponsor of HMNZS TAUPO, Her Excellency Susan Satyanand, will attend the formal Charter Parade.

HMNZS TAUPO will be open to the public from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sunday 1 November. Lieutenant Commander Jonathan Clarkson warmly invites the public of the Whangarei region to tour their ship and to meet the members of the crew.

Media Opportunities

* Wednesday 28 October - There are spaces onboard TAUPO to sail onboard from Auckland (dep 10 am) to Whangarei (arr 3 pm)

* Wednesday 28 October 1525 – 1530 – media interviews with Commanding Officer onboard TAUPO
* There are five local Northlanders serving onboard TAUPO
* Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Jonathan Clarkson grew up in Kohukohu and Okaihau

* Leading Marine Technician Joshua Wedding – Kamo, Whangarei
* Able Marine Technician Michael Belcher
* Ordinary Chef Myles Kaka, Raumanga, Whangarei
* Warrant Officer Joe Harema, Rawene

Particulars of HMNZS TAUPO

Pennant Number: P3570
Displacement: 340 tonnes
Length overall: 55 metres
Beam: 9 metres
Speed: 25 knots
Range: 3,000 nautical miles
Complement: Core ship's company:20
Government agencies: 4
Additional personnel:12
Total: 36

Commanding Officer – Lieutenant Commander Jonathan Clarkson (Kohukohu/Okaihau)
Executive Officer – Lieutenant Kiel Wakeham (Christchurch/Blenheim)

Programme

Wednesday 28 October

1000 -- HMNZS TAUPO sails from Devonport Naval Base

1000 - 1100 -- Navy Band Concert in Dargaville Town Hall for local district schools

1230 - 1400 -- Navy Band Concert in Dargaville Town Hall for RSA's and local Retirement Homes and Residents.

1500 -- HMNZS TAUPO berths in Whangarei (H Wharf Port Nikau)

1530 -- Powhiri/Welcome Ceremony – alongside H Wharf Port Nikau

1630 – 1730 -- Tour of TAUPO by members of Welcome Ceremony

Thursday 29 October

0945 – 1045 -- Visit to TAUPO by local Police, MAF, Customs and Fire personnel

1000 -- Navy Band performance at Pompallier Catholic College

1100- 1200 -- Visit to TAUPO by local Ports Authority and Coastguard personnel

1300 – 1515 -- Visit to TAUPO by local potential recruits

1530 – 1630 -- Visit to TAUPO by Ex-Naval Mens Association, Veterans and RSA

1830 – 2000 -- Navy Band Concert at Whangarei RSA

Friday 30 October

0815 – 1200 -- Charter Parade Rehearsal – Whangarei Town Centre

1200 – 1330 -- Commanding Officer TAUPO official luncheon for three Regional Mayors

1430 – 1630 -- Visit to TAUPO by St Francis Xavier School

1830 - 2000 -- Navy Band Concert at Captain Bougainville Theatre (Free Entry)

Saturday 31 October

1045 -- Guests arrive for Charter Parade – Whangarei Town Centre (vicinity of Whangarei Public Library)

1115 -- Charter Parade Ceremony

1200 – 1220 -- Navy Band performance in Mall

1200 – 1330 -- Mayoral Reception in Whangarei District Council Chambers – presentations and cutting of commissioning cake

Sunday 1 November

1000 – 1500 -- HMNZS TAUPO open day for the public

Monday 2 November

Am -- TAUPO Ships Company visit to St Francis Xavier School

1530 – 1630 -- Visit to TAUPO by local potential recruits

1645 – 1745 -- Visit to TAUPO by local cadets

Tuesday 3 November

1000 -- HMNZS TAUPO departs Whangarei

ENDS

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