HMNZS Taupō

HMNZS Taupō's primary mission is to ensure the security and prosperity of New Zealanders by undertaking maritime security patrols, surveillance, boarding operations, navigation training and response to search and rescue call-outs.

Conceived as part of Project Protector, the ships were built in Whangarei by BAE Systems Australia (formerly Tenix Shipbuilding).

Taupō is the last of the four IPVs that were delivered to the Ministry of Defence and was commissioned into the Royal New Zealand Navy on 29 May 2009. Taupō is the third ship of this name to serve in the Royal New Zealand Navy and is named after Lake Taupō.

Our two Inshore Patrol Vessels, HMNZS Taupō and HMNZS Hawea, have fully automated control and navigations systems, powerful engines, modern communications and surveillance systems, active stabilisers and comfortable accommodation. Using the two RHIBs (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats) onboard, both ships can undertake boarding operations, surveillance and transport personnel. The RHIBs are launched using two automatic davits near the stern of the vessels. The ships are highly manoeuvrable and capable of speeds up to 25 knots (46 kilometres per hour). 

They regularly work with government agencies such as Primary Industries (fisheries), Customs, Police and the Department of Conservation and frequently visit ports throughout the country. Taupō regularly undertakes patrols around New Zealand’s major fishing grounds, including the West Coast of the South Island, Marlborough Sounds, Cook Strait, Northland and the North Island East Coast.

Homeport: Whangārei
Ship Sponsor: Lady Susan Satyanand

Commanding Officer

Lieutenant Samara Mankelow

Ship's Badge 

Motto: Kia U (standfast).

Designed by personnel in the WWII Loch Class Frigate, the first to bear the name, the badge features a Māori canoe, with wavy lines representing the sea. The canoe is double-hulled, the type of construction which brought the Arawa people to Aotearoa New Zealand, eventually to settle in the area including Lake Taupō.

Taupō was named by Ship Sponsor, Her Excellency Lady Susan Satyanand and is affiliated to the Whangarei / Northland region.

Operations

• Surveillance and reconnaissance around NZ coastline
• Counter-terrorism
• Search and Rescue
• Interception and boarding
• Apprehension and escort of vessels
• Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief
• Support for other government agencies, including Police, Primary Industries, Customs and Department of Conservation
• Vertical replenishment by helicopter
• Pollution patrol
• Sea training for the Navy

Specifications

Armament