 HMNZS TARANAKI was built as a Rothesay Class Frigate, but with NZ modifications, TARANAKI arrived in New Zealand 7 months after her sister ship OTAGO in September 1961.
In April 1962, TARANAKI became the first of the new New Zealand frigates to join the Far East Fleet at Singapore, a move that ended the Lochs’ 12 years of service in that theatre.
Like OTAGO, TARANAKI was also fitted with the Seacat surface-to-air missile system. The installation of the highly technical Seacat launcher and missile guidance system was a major achievement for the Devonport Dockyard.
TARANAKI took part in regular deployments to the Far East, to North Hawaii, Australia and the Pacific Islands, for exercises with other ships of other navies, and ‘show the flag’ tours.
TARANAKI’s role changed in 1978 to 200-mile EEZ resource protection, but she was laid up for most of 4/77-4/78 because of navy manning shortages. She recommissioned 23/1/79 after refitting for her training and fisheries role, commencing these 5/79. TARANAKI’s last sailing from New Plymouth was 14/6/82.
By the early 1980s, the future of TARANAKI was in doubt. She was more than 20 years old and reaching the end of her effective life. Replacement options were investigated and in October 1981 the Government accepted an offer from the British Government to sell New Zealand two Leander-class frigates. The decision to acquire these two ships led to a project for HMNZS TARANAKI to be converted into a resource protection and training ship to be cancelled.
TARANAKI paid off in June 1982 and she was stripped of fittings suitable as spares for the other frigates and then sold for scrap.
Displacement 2144 tonnes
Length 112 metres
Beam 12 metres
Draught 5 metres
Machinery 2-shaft double-reduction geared steam turbines
Armament Guns: 2-4.5 in, 1-40mm
Speed 30 + kts
Complement originally 219, later 240.
Information from the old RNZN site (Ship history seems to have been removed in their latest web site)
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About HMNZS Taranaki