Navy ships to visit US

New Zealand Navy ships are calling into US ports for the first time since the ANZUS bust up over 25 years ago.

The frigate Te Kaha and tanker Endeavour will make civilian visits to Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego and Honolulu and one expert calls it a symbolic warming between the two countries.

Victoria University senior lecturer of strategic studies Dr Lance Beath, says Honolulu and San Diego are the major US naval bases in the area and even though it is a civilian visit, the fact the Americans are prepared to host our ships is a good sign.

Dr Beath adds, it has been a step by step progression to get to this point and the work being done by the Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, and Prime Minister has been significant.

- NZPA