The purchase and modification of a hydrographic and deep diving support capability – HMNZS Manawanui.
Navy's specialist divers and hydrographers provide vital services to New Zealand, the Pacific, and our partners, such as undertaking underwater search and rescue with the New Zealand Police, surveying the seabed following major earthquakes, and removing unexploded historical ordnance in the Pacific islands.
An 85 metre Norwegian built multi-role offshore support vessel, the MV Edda Fonn arrived in New Zealand on 12 May 2019 as part of a project to deliver a new dive and hydrographic capability to the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN).
The ship was commissioned as HMNZS Manawanui - the fourth RNZN ship to sail under this name - on 7 June 2019 at a ceremony with Prime Minister Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, the Ship Sponsor.
The project budget for the purchase of the ship, completion of the modifications, and the introduction into service of this dive and hydrographic capability is NZD$103 million.
Current state
Current state
Manawanui has been in service since November 2021, enabling the dive and hydrographic capability of the New Zealand Defence Force to be delivered both domestically and in support of regional partners.
In July 2022, Manawanui was deployed to the Southwest Pacific, sailing at the end of that month to spend August and September participating in Operations Mahi Tahi and Render Safe.
Under Operation Mahi Tahi, a hydrographic survey of the Tongatapu outer reef was made at the request of the Government of Tonga through Land Information New Zealand. Manawanui and HMNZS Matataua also conducted reconnaissance of waters around Tuvalu for Operation Render Safe, which finds and safely disposes of Explosive Remnants of War.
In February 2023, the ship supported relief efforts following Cyclone Gabrielle, checking on isolated coastal communities along the East Coast of the North Island, delivering supplies, water, and food to places such as Tolaga Bay, Waipiro Bay, Motuhina, and Waioue Stream.
Further modification work has continued as part of the lead up to Operational Release.