Defence News – Royal New Zealand Navy’s HMNZS Canterbury departs for mission to Tokelau

Source: Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN)

Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) multi-role vessel HMNZS Canterbury will arrive into Samoa this weekend for a fuel stop as the ship begins its first South West Pacific maritime operation for 2026, Operation Calypso.

The deployment includes a visit to Tokelau, a realm nation which was last visited by an RNZN ship in 2020.

Making the journey on Canterbury to the atolls of Atafu, Nukunonu and Fakaofo will be the Governor-General of New Zealand Dame Cindy Kiro and her husband Dr Richard Davies, reaffirming the special bonds between the two nations as they mark the centenary of New Zealand administration of Tokelau on 11 February.

Also travelling to Tokelau will be personnel from various New Zealand Government agencies.

Weather agency MetService received a request from Tokelau government agencies for observer training and will be conducting a needs assessment as well as servicing the Automatic Weather Station on Nukunonu.

One New Zealand Police officer will take the opportunity to meet with the Tokelau Chief of Police and other officials, and an officer from the Tokelauan National Disaster Management Office will also be on Canterbury to transit between the atolls.

Once the mission in Tokelau has concluded, Canterbury will return to Apia to disembark some passengers before returning to New Zealand via Raoul Island.

On Raoul Island, Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopters and flight crew who are on board Canterbury, along with New Zealand Army personnel and the ship’s company, will assist MetService and Earth Sciences New Zealand personnel to carry out upgrade and maintenance tasks of critical weather, tsunami and volcano monitoring equipment and facilities.

Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, Major General Rob Krushka, says the Pacific mission Operation Calypso highlights the capability of the New Zealand Defence Force’s people and platforms.

“Tokelau and Raoul Island are two examples of hard to reach places in our region, where carrying out tasks can be very logistically challenging.

“We’re pleased to be able to support the visit of Her Excellency the Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro and New Zealand government agencies to deliver services and equipment to these areas through one of our regular South West Pacific deployments.”