Welcome to the Unofficial Web Site of the
Royal New Zealand Navy
Part 3: World War II - 1941 to 1945
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This list displays those ships commissioned into the
Royal New Zealand Navy during World War II,
from its formation on 1 October, 1941, until the end of 1945.
Notes:
(i) Dates shown follow the English precedent, ie. Day/Month/Year.
(ii) All ships carried the 'HMNZS' prefix from date of commissioning.
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Cruisers
Leander Class Light Cruisers
Displacement (tons): 7,030 Achilles, 7,270 Leander
Dimensions (feet): 554.6 x 55 x 16
Propulsion: Parsons Turbines, 72,000 hp, 4 shafts
Max. Speed (knots): 32.5
Armament: 8 x 6-inch, 8 x 4-inch Leander,
4 x 4-inch Achilles, 4 x 3pdr,
10 x MGs, 8 x 21-inch torpedo tubes
Complement: 550
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
C70 Achilles 1/10/41 Ex-HMS Achilles comm'd 10/10/33.
Returned to RN 9/46. Sold to India
as INS Delhi in 1948.
Broken up 1978.
C75 Leander 1/10/41 Ex-HMS Leander comm'd 23/3/33.
Returned to RN 5/44.
Sold for scrap 15/12/49.
Note: Achilles built by Cammell Laird, UK., and Leander built by
Devonport, UK.
Mauritius Class Light Cruiser
Displacement (tons): 8,000
Dimensions (feet): 555.6 x 62 x 16.6
Propulsion: Parsons Turbines, 80,000 hp, 4 shafts
Max. Speed (knots): 32
Armament: 12 x 6-inch, 8 x 4-inch, 8 x 2pdr,
20 x 20mm, 6 x 21-inch torpedo tubes
Complement: 900
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
C48 Gambia 22/9/43 Ex-HMS Gambia. Returned to RN 7/46.
Broken up 1968.
Note: Built by Swan Hunter, UK. and completed in February, 1942.
(You can now visit HMS Gambia's own website!)
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Mine Warfare Vessels
Early Castle Class Minesweeper
Displacement (tons): 360
Dimensions (feet): 134 x 23.6 x 12
Propulsion: 480 hp, 1 shaft
Max. Speed (knots): 10.5
Armament: 1 x 4-inch, MGs.
Complement: ??
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
T00 Wakakura (I) 1/10/41 Used as Danlayer from July 1944.
Paid off 10/45. Sold 1947.
Note: Built by Port Arthur Shipbuilding co., Ontario, Canada, and
completed on 17/10/17.
Bird (Flower) Class Minesweepers
Displacement (tons): 825
Dimensions (feet): 156 x 30 x 13
Propulsion: Triple Expansion, 1,000 hp, 1 shaft
Max. Speed (knots): 14
Armament: 1 x 4-inch, 1 x 20mm
Complement: 35
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
T102 Kiwi (I) 20/10/41 Paid off 1949.
(P102) Recomm'd as Training ship 1951-56.
Sold 1964. Broken up in Auckland
in 1965.
T233 Moa (I) 8/12/41 Sunk off Tulagi 7/4/43.
T234 Tui (I) 8/12/41 Paid off 1946.
(P33) Recomm'd as Training ship 1952-54.
Converted to research vessel 1956.
Laid up 12/67. Sold 1969.
Broken up in Auckland.
Note: All built by Henry Robb, UK. and completed in 1941.
Isles Class Minesweeping Trawlers
Displacement (tons): 560
Dimensions (feet): 164 x 27.6 x 10.6
Propulsion: Triple Expansion, 850 hp, 1 shaft
Max. Speed (knots): 12
Armament: 1 x 12pdr, 3 x 20mm, DCs
Complement: 40
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
T155 Inchkeith 24/10/41 Paid off 1946. Sold 1958.
T160 Sanda 4/11/41 Paid off 1946. Sold 1958.
Merchant ship until 1970.
T174 Killegray 7/11/41 Paid off 1946. Sold 1958.
T175 Scarba 25/11/41 Paid off 1946. Sold 1958.
Note: Inchkeith built by Lewis, Sanda built by Goole
and Killegray and Scarba built by Cook, all in the UK.
Castle Class Minesweepers
Displacement (tons): 612
Dimensions (feet): 134 x 23.6 x 13.6
Propulsion: Triple Expansion, 480 hp, 1 shaft
Max. Speed (knots): 10
Armament: 1 x 12pdr, 2 x MGs.
Complement: 32
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
T17 Hinau (I) 15/7/42 Paid off 1946. Sold 1955
(T399)
T19 Manuka 30/3/42 Paid off 1946.
(T401) Trans to NZ Govt.
T18 Rimu 15/7/42 Paid off 1946. Sold 1955.
(T402) Sunk off Caviar Is 21/8/58.
T348 Tawhai 24/4/44 Paid off 1946.
UN Relief boat post 1947.
Note: Hinau (I) built by Senior Foundry Co., Auckland, Manuka built
by Mason Bros, Auckland and Rimu and Tawhai built by Seager Bros
Shipbuilders Ltd, all in NZ.
Castle Class (Anti-Submarine) Minesweepers
Displacement (tons): 612
Dimensions (feet): 134 x 23.6 x 13.6
Propulsion: Triple Expansion, 480 hp, 1 shaft
Max. Speed (knots): 10
Armament: 1 x 12pdr, 2 x MGs, DCs.
Complement: 217 (as built)
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
T24 Aroha 12/5/43 Paid off 1946.
(T396)
T25 Awatere 26/6/43 Paid off 1946.
(T397)
T26 Hautapu 12/2/44 Paid off 1946.
(T340) Scientific Research vessel 1946.
Sold 1948.
T27 Maimai 1944 Paid off 1946.
(T338)
T28 Pahau 1944 Paid off 1946.
(T351)
T34 Waiho 3/6/44 Paid off 1946.
(T403)
T343 Waikato (I) Not completed.
T33 Waima 28/3/44 Paid off 1946.
(T349)
T32 Waipu 17/11/43 Paid off 1946.
(T357)
Note: (i) Aroha, Hautapu, Maimai, Pahau, Waiho, Waima and Waipu, all built
by Stevenson & Cook, Port Chalmers, Awatere built by Patent Slip, Wellington,
and Waikato (I) was being built by Seager Bros Shipbuilders Ltd, all in NZ.
Note: (ii) Orders to build an additional 4 vessels namely, Waiau & Waikaka,
with Mason Bros, and Wauti & Waikanae, with Stevenson & Cook, were all
cancelled in October, 1943.
Modified Flower Class Minesweepers
Displacement (tons): 925
Dimensions (feet): 205 x 33 x 13
Propulsion: Triple Expansion, 2,800 hp, 2 shafts?
Max. Speed (knots): 16
Armament: 1 x 4-inch, 8 x 20mm.
Complement: 85
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
K385 Arabis 22/2/44 Transferred from RN 1944.
(F85) Paid off 7/48. Returned to RN 4/49.
Reserve until broken up 8/51.
K403 Arbutus 16/6/44 Transferred from RN 1944.
(F103) Paid off 7/48. Returned to RN 4/49.
Reserve until broken up 6/51.
Note: Both built by George Brown, UK. and completed in 1944.
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Other Vessels
Armed Merchant Cruiser
Displacement (tons): 10,852
Dimensions (feet): 519 x 63.3 x 26
Propulsion: 14,740 hp, 2 shafts?
Max. Speed (knots): 18
Armament: 8 x 6-inch, 2 x 3-inch.
Complement: ??
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
F59 Monowai (I) RN 23/10/39 Ex-Trans-Tasman Steamer
Converted to LSI 2/44,
Returned 7/46.
Note: Built by ?? and completed in 1925.
Depot and Receiving Ship
Displacement (tons): 2,575
Dimensions (feet): 278 x 41 x 16.10
Propulsion: Inactive
Max. Speed (knots): n/a
Armament: 1 x 6-inch, 1 x 4-inch, 2 x 12pdr
Complement: 217 (as built)
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
A123 Philomel 1/10/41 Ex-HMS Philomel comm'd 15/7/14.
Paid off 16/1/47.
Sunk at sea 6/8/49.
Note: Built by Devonport, UK. and completed on 10/11/1891.
Fairmile B Motor Launches
Displacement (tons): 80
Dimensions (feet): 112 x 17.10 x 4.10
Propulsion: 2 x 12 cylinder petrol, 1,260 hp, 2 shafts
Max. Speed (knots): 18.5
Armament: 1 x 2pdr, 1 x 20mm, 2 x MGs, DCs.
Complement: 16
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
Q400 -- 20/12/43 Suffered engine room fire and
explosion. Sold 1946-47.
Q401 -- 20/12/43 Sold 1946-47.
Q402 -- 20/12/43 Sold 1946-47.
Q403 -- 20/12/43 Sold 1946-47.
Q404 -- 20/12/43 Sold 1946-47.
Q405 -- 20/12/43 Sold 1946-47.
Q406 -- 20/12/43 Sold 1946-47.
Q407 -- 20/12/43 Sold 1946-47.
Q408 -- 20/12/43 Sold 1946-47.
Q409 -- 20/12/43 Sold 1946-47. Re-purchased and
P3570 Maori recomm'd in 1953 as Maori. Sold
in 1963 and renamed Iris Moana.
Q410 -- 20/12/43 Sold 1946-47.
Q411 -- 20/12/43 Recomm'd in 1947. Renamed
P3571 Kahu (I) Kahu (I) in 1953. Sold 1965.
Note: Built by Auckland, NZ.
Harbour Defence Motor Launches
Displacement (tons): 54
Dimensions (feet): 72 x 15.10 x 5.4
Propulsion: 2 x Diesels, 550 hp, 2 shafts
Max. Speed (knots): 12
Armament: 1 x 20mm, 3 x MGs, DCs.
Complement: 10
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
Q1183 -- 9/3/43 Laid up 1945. Fishery protection
P3551 Mako 1955 1946-72. Survey 1972-76,
Wellington. Sold 1976.
Q1184 -- 9/3/43 Laid up 1945. Fishery protection
P3552 Paea 1955 1946-72. Survey 1972-79, Auckland.
Reserves 1975-77. Sold 12/84.
Q1185 -- 8/4/43 Laid up 1945. Trans'd to NZ Army
P3567 Manga 1960 as Bombardier. Returned from Army
1959. Fishery protection 1960-67.
Survey 1974, Wellington. Sold 1982.
Q1186 -- 1943 Laid up 1945. Dismantled by
RNZN and sold 1946.
Q1187 -- 13/5/43 Laid up 1945. Lent to Auckland
P3566 Tarapunga (I) 1955 Coast Guard 1947-50. Reserves
1951-80. Survey 1979-83,
Wellington. Sold 3/84.
Q1188 -- 22/5/43 Laid up 1945. Reserves 1951-80.
P3556 Takapu (I) 1955 Survey 1981, Dunedin. Renamed
Kahawai (II) in 1981. Sold 3/84.
Q1189 -- 1943 Laid up 1945. Sold 1946.
Q1190 -- 28/5/43 Laid up 1945. Fishery protection
P3562 Parore 1967 1974-77. Survey, Wellington.
Sold 1977.
Q1191 -- 28/9/43 Laid up 1945. Fishery protection
P3553 Kahawai (I) 1966 1966-72. Survey 1972, Auckland &
Dunedin. Sold 1976.
Q1192 -- 28/9/43 Laid up 1945. Fishery protection
P3554 Maroro 1964 1964-72. Sold 1972. Wrecked in
Fiji, 27/8/82.
Q1193 -- 28/9/43 Laid up 1945. Fiji Naval Reserves
P3555 Tamure 1967 to 1957. Renamed Ngapona (II)
in 1958. Survey 1959-68, Auckland.
Sold 3/73.
Q1194 -- 28/9/43 Laid up 1945. Survey 1948-57.
P3561 Ngapona (I) Sold 1957. Wrecked near Coromandel,
after grounding 11/57.
Q1348 -- 27/3/44 Laid up 1945. Fishery protection
P3563 Kuparu 1967 & Survey 1972-84, Christchurch
(Lyttleton). Sold 1984.
Q1349 -- 27/3/44 Laid up 1945. Fishery protection
P3565 Haku 1964 1964-72. Survey 1973, Canterbury.
Sold 1982.
Q1350 -- 27/3/44 Laid up 1945. Fishery protection
P3564 Koura 1967 & Survey 1973-84, Otago & Auckland,
Museum ship 1984 at Paeroa.
Q1351 -- 27/3/44 Laid up 1945. Sold 1946.
Note: All built in the US. Twelve were retained after WWII, three were
sold and one transferred to the Army. Remaining boats were refitted and
re-engined with Foden diesels and were subsequently used as fishery
protection, survey and reserve training boats. All boats were given
new pendant numbers in 1950.
Requisitioned Minesweepers
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
T371 Breeze 26/10/42 Steamer of 622 tons. Built 1933.
Retired 1946.
-- Duchess 1/10/41 Steamer of 314 tons. Built 1897.
Gate Vessel 1/44.
Harbour Service 1946.
Deleted 1947.
-- Futurist 1/10/41 Trawler of 234 tons. Built 1920.
Retired 1945.
-- Gale 1/10/41 Motor Vessel of 622 tons.
Built 1935. Retired 1945.
-- Hawera 1942 Motor Vessel of 188 tons.
Built 1912. Retired 1/46.
6 Humphrey 1/10/41 Trawler of 207 tons. Built 1917.
Paid off 8/1944.
T10 James Cosgrove 1/10/41 Trawler of 277 tons. Built 1918.
Boom Defence Vessel 4/44.
Paid off 1946.
T14 Kaiwaka 1/10/41 Motor Vessel of 169 tons.
Built 1937. Retired 1946.
T15 Kapuni 1/10/41 Motor Vessel of 190 tons.
Built 1909. Retired 1946.
T372 Matai 1/10/41 Steamer of 1,050 tons. Built 1930.
Retired 1946.
M Muritai 1/10/41 Steamer of 462 tons. Built 1923.
Retired 1946.
-- Rata 1/10/41 Steamer of 974 tons. Built 1929.
Retired 1944.
-- Simplon 1941 Steamer of 69 tons. Built 1929.
Retired 1946.
T08 South Sea 1/10/41 Trawler of 322 tons. Built 1912.
Sunk in Wellington Harbour after
collision with Wahine on 19/12/42.
-- Thomas Currell 1/10/41 Trawler of 204 tons. Built 1919.
Paid off 1944.
T364 Wairua 1942 Steamer of 352 tons. Built 1913.
Sold 245.
Requisitioned Danlayers
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
-- Coastguard 1/10/41 Ketch of 49 tons. Built 1935.
Tender 1946. Sold 1961.
T14 Kaiwaka 1/10/41 Motor vessel of 169 tons.
Built 1937. Retired 1946.
T23 Nora Niven 10/42 Steamer of 166 tons. Built 1907.
Retired 2/44.
T22 Phyllis 10/42 Steamer of 148 tons. Built 1912.
Retired 1944.
Examination Vessels
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
-- Awanui 1941 Cutter of 170 tons. Built 1907.
Returned 1944.
-- Hauiti 1941 Steamer of 148 tons. Built 1911.
Harbour Service 1944. Deleted 1950.
-- Ikatere 1941 Motor Boat of 43 tons. Built 1940.
Returned 1944.
-- Janie Seddon 5/41 Steamer of 126 tons. Built 1901
Base Ship 1944. Sold 1947.
-- Lyttleton 1942 Steamer of 292 tons. Built 1907
Returned 1945.
-- Tuirangi 1942 Motor Vessel of 114 tons.
Built 1908. Returned 1945.
Auxiliary Boom Defence Vessels
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
-- Claymore 10/43 Steamer of 260 tons. Built 1902.
Purchased 10/43. Sold 1953.
-- Whakaire 1942 Steamer of 819 tons.
Built 1903. Returned ?
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Part 4: The Post War Era - 1946 to 1959 
Part 2: The NZ Division, Royal Navy - 1921 to 1941
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