The New Zealand Navy's inshore patrol vessel HMNZS Rotoiti will return to its birthplace in Whangarei ahead of Anzac Day with the vessel open to the public tomorrow.
The Rotoiti will steam into Whangarei Harbour today as part of the Royal New Zealand Navy's 75th Anniversary year.
The 55-metre-long ship will be tied up at Port Whangarei for a public open day from 10am to 2pm tomorrow. Several of the Rotoiti's crew are from Northland - including the Commanding Officer Lieutenant Adam Flaws - so the visit is the chance for their families to have a look around their base.
The crew members will also attend Anzac Day commemorations in Whangarei on Monday and the ship will leave on Tuesday.
The Rotoiti was one of four 340-tonne inshore patrol vessels - alongside the Taupo, Hawea and Pukaki, built at the Port Rd, Whangarei, yard of Australian shipbuilding firm Tenix, and launched in 2009.
