A massive naval presence east of Great Barrier Island today isn’t a combat exercise, but a rigorous set of “final exams” for the fleet’s heaviest hitters, according to an NZDF source.
Sailors reported seeing HMNZS Aotearoa (A11), HMNZS Canterbury (L421), and the frigate HMNZS Te Kaha (F77) grouping on a glass-calm sea around 20 miles of the island’s coast today. Navy sources say the vessels are currently undergoing “HATS and SATS”—Harbour Acceptance Trials and Sea Acceptance Trials.
These trials are highly technical tests designed to verify that every system on board, from the main engines to the emergency steering, is functioning to international standards. The presence of tugboats attached to the Aotearoa and Canterbury suggests “dead-ship” towing drills are a primary focus today. These maneuvers test the ability of support vessels to move the 26,000-tonne Aotearoa—the largest ship the Navy has ever operated—in the event of a total power failure.
The timing follows the Aotearoa’s return in December from a lengthy 31,000-nautical-mile deployment in the Indo-Pacific. After a period of maintenance and crew leave, today’s trials off our coast are the final step before the fleet begins its 2026 operational schedule.
The NZDF has been approached for comment.
