Hon Phil Goff
Minister of Defence
21 March 2008
Media statement
Navy ship Canterbury bound for international defence exercise and Raoul Island re-supply
Navy amphibious sealift ship HMNZS CANTERBURY will depart from Devonport Naval Base on Tuesday, bound for an
international exercise in Noumea and a re-supply of a Department of Conservation operation on Raoul Island, Defence
Minister Phil Goff said.
“This trip is the second international exercise for the Canterbury and comes less than a month after it successfully
took part in Exercise Sea Lion in the Townsville and inner Great Barrier Reef areas off Australia’s eastern coast.
“The exercise will involve ship to shore loading and unloading of troops and vehicles. This new capability strengthens
our ability to operate with our defence partners and carry out disaster relief-type activities.
“The range of missions demonstrates the value of the ship’s capability to New Zealand. As the Canterbury sets to work,
we are beginning to see her versatility and capacity to undertake a variety of roles she was acquired to do.” Mr Goff
said.
Maritime Component Commander Commodore Parr said the latest exercise, Exercise Croix Du Sud 2008, is a French Military
sponsored, joint and combined Field Training Exercise.
The exercise is conducted biennially in New Caledonia between defence forces from France, New Zealand, Australia, Papua
New Guinea, Vanuatu and Tonga, Commodore Parr said. It aids the development of interoperability among participating land
force elements by extending the knowledge of each other’s tactics and operational staff procedures.
New Zealand Defence Force involvement includes the Canterbury, a Detached Hydrographic Support Unit, an Infantry Platoon
from 3 Land Force Group in Burnham, two Helicopters from 3 Squadron in Ohakea and personnel to man the Exercise
Headquarters. The exercise runs from 28 March to 14 April.
On return to New Zealand from Noumea, Canterbury will join with DoC to conduct a re-supply of their operation in Raoul
Island over 17 and 18 April. This will cover reconnaissance of the beach landing area, wharf upgrade requirements and a
transfer of stores. Staff will also undertake tasks including reserve and facilities maintenance and monitoring volcanic
activity, Commodore Parr said.
Karen Baird, DoC’s programme manager for Raoul Island, said: “The island is very a demanding environment. It's a huge
logistical operation re-supplying such a remote location, and it really makes such a difference having the help of the
Navy. Their help in cleaning up after the last cyclone and assisting us with improving the airstrip and other essential
tasks has been invaluable.”
ends