First New Navy Patrol Vessel Launched Today

Ministers, the Hon. Andre Haermeyer and the Hon. Bruce Billson, New Zealand High Commissioner John Larkindale, Tenix CEO Robert Salteri, Dame Silvia Cartwright, Chiefs of Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson and Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, and Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force Lieutenant General, Ken Gillespie, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

Today's launch of HMNZS OTAGO, the first of New Zealand’s two new offshore patrol vessels, marks an important step forward for the Royal New Zealand Navy.

It is appropriate that the launch should occur here alongside the largest of the Navy's new ships, the multi-role vessel HMNZS CANTERBURY, and that members of CANTERBURY's crew are here to witness this occasion.

From 2000, the New Zealand Government’s goal has been to build a modern and well equipped defence force to meet the contemporary needs of New Zealand. This includes the need to protect our sovereignty, secure our borders, protect New Zealand from terrorist and transnational criminal activity and to guard our resources as well as meet civil needs such as search and rescue and disaster relief.

The commitment of over $3.3 billion on new equipment through the Long Term Development Plan will enable the Defence Force to meet these objectives. The additional $4.6 billion in the Defence Sustainability Initiative announced last year will address infrastructure and personnel needs.

The Government has made significant investment in upgrading the Navy. The $500 million committed through Project Protector has bought seven new vessels – and an array of new capabilities for the Navy and the wider Defence Force.
HMNZS CANTERBURY, our multi-role vessel, represents a unique capability for the New Zealand Defence Force. It will be capable of transporting a 250-strong Company Group with its associated vehicles and support equipment, a Seasprite maritime surveillance helicopter and four of our new state of the art NH90 helicopters.

It has two 60-tonne landing craft for situations where port facilities are not available. It will greatly improve New Zealand's ability to respond to natural disasters in the Pacific. It’s the type of vessel that we will use in deployments like those recently in Timor Leste and Solomon Islands.

CANTERBURY will give us strategic lift and will enable us to deliver our forces to where they are needed and in sufficient quantities to be self-sustaining.
HMNZS OTAGO and her sister ship HMNZS WELLINGTON have impressive credentials. They are 85 metres long, have the same 6000 mile range as an ANZAC frigate, are helicopter capable, ice strengthened, able to carry 30 embarked troops and containers, have comprehensive communications suites and a 25 millimetre gun.

They will significantly increase the capability of the Navy and enable it to work closely with other government agencies in pursuit of New Zealand's security and wider interests.

The offshore patrol vessels will undertake a range of tasks including patrolling New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone and undertaking border protection, including supporting counter terrorism missions. They will operate around New Zealand in the Pacific and down to the Southern Ocean.
Together with the four new inshore patrol vessels, also part of Project Protector, they will deliver greater capacity in the policing roles navies are increasingly being asked to perform.

Project Protector has provided significant opportunities both here in Australia and in New Zealand for industry.

Tenix’s role as major contractor is a tangible example of closer defence relations with Australia at work.

Twenty-six New Zealand suppliers have been contracted by Tenix to assist with the construction of the fleet. They are located across New Zealand including in Auckland, Whangarei, Kawerau, Christchurch, Dunedin, Blenheim, Palmerston North and Wellington.

Local New Zealand companies are expected to receive around $110 million worth of business from Project Protector.

I want to acknowledge Tenix, the New Zealand Ministry of Defence and the New Zealand Defence Force and everyone from both New Zealand and Australia who has been involved with making today happen.
I look forward to welcoming OTAGO to New Zealand next year and offer our best wishes to all who sail in her.