NZ warship may help UN hunt for pirates

The HMNZS Te Mana. File photo / Greg Bowker

A New Zealand navy warship may be deployed to hunt down pirates, possibly off the coast of Africa.

The Government confirmed today it had received a request from the United Nations for a warship to be deployed on piracy patrol.

"It is a suggestion that is under consideration," said a spokesman for Defence Minister Wayne Mapp's office.

"I don't have any further details. It is under consideration."

New Zealand had been asked several times in the past by the UN to supply a warship for piracy patrols but did not have a craft available, the spokesman said.

However, it is understood that the delivery of seven new ships under the Project Protector fleet had freed up the navy's two combat ships, the Anzac frigates, HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Te Mana, to do more operational missions.

"It is a matter of availability. Obviously we don't have 20 frigates, we have two," the spokesman said.

He would not confirm a ship could be off the coast of Africa.

Piracy is estimated to cost $21 billion around the world each year, particularly in the waters between the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, off the Somali coast, and also in the Strait of Malacca and Singapore.

A surge in piracy off the Somali coast led to a multi-nations bid to patrol the waters near the Horn of Africa and it had been suggested a New Zealand warship would join that piracy task force.

Modern pirates often used small boats and carry small arms such as AK47 assault rifles and rocket propelled grenades to stop large cargo ships, including oil tankers, and hold them for ransom.

- NZPA