HMNZS Manawanui - History

History: Royal New Zealand Navy vessel HMNZS Manawanui - Eastland Port, Gisborne. NZ

HMNZS Manawanui (A09) was a specialist dive and hydrographic survey vessel of the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Originally built as a civilian survey vessel, the ship was commissioned into the RNZN in 2019 but sadly ran aground, caught fire, and sank off the southern coast of Upolu, Samoa, on October 5–6, 2024.

Gisborne had been chosen as the honorary home port for the Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN) newly purchased dive and hydrographic vessel.

Royal New Zealand Navy vessel HMNZS Manawanui commanded attention as crew were officially welcomed for the first time at her home port of Gisborne on Friday 27 November 2020.

Mayor Rhette Stoltz, district councillors and Gisborne District Council staff were joined by tangata whenua and other members of the community to welcome the dive and hydrographic vessel at Eastland Port.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern dedicated Gisborne as the home port for the ship in 2018 when it was purchased.

Sir Derek Lardelli spoke as whai korero, welcoming the ship and her crew “home as part of Turanga/Gisborne”.

All photos on 29-30/12/2020 @ Eastland Port, Gisborne, New Zealand © Ray Sheldrake

HMNZS Manawanui out in Tūranganui-a-Kiwa / Poverty Bay, having departed Turanga / Gisborne its NEW Home Port.

The ship is photographed passing in front of Young Nicks Head / Te Kurī-a-Pāoa.