Whenua Ruwhiu snuggles up to his father, Chief Petty Officer Alex Ruwhiu, yesterday following the return of HMNZS Te Mana to the Devonport Naval Base after six months at sea.
The Royal New Zealand Navy frigate with 175 crew arrived home safely after a mission to Australia and Asia.
Te Mana left Devonport on January 31 and was involved in military exercises with the Royal Australian Navy while based in Sydney and with naval forces from Malaysia, Singapore and Britain off the Singapore coast.
The frigate also visited Thailand, Brunei, Malaysia, India and Sri Lanka.
Lieutenant Nikki Sinclair said the crew now had "four weeks' managed leave" at home to catch up with family and friends.
"It's always hard on families but the Navy tries to keep it down to one big trip a year and does its best to have the crew home around Christmas time," she said.
Te Mana's next journey is to Raoul Island, where the frigate's crew will support Department of Conservation staff.
<i>Picture:</i> Happiness is having dad back home
Picture / Paul Estcourt
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