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Steven Wereta is the only crewman who shares the same home as the Royal New Zealand Navy’s newest, and largest ship, HMNZS Aotearoa.
As HMNZS Aotearoa entered her home port for the first time, Steven Wereta watched the New Plymouth coastline with growing anticipation – the vessel was entering his home, too. The 20-year-old is the only crew member of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s newest and largest ship to hail from its ceremonial home of Taranaki. “I’m glad to be going home with this ship,” Wereta said. “It’s a real privilege.”
SIMON O CONNOR/Stuff
The festivities will follow a formal welcome to the city, firstly from Ngati te Whiti, before Mayor Neil Holdom addresses the ship’s company and presents Aotearoa’s Commanding Officer Captain Simon Rooke with the City Charter. “It’s been four years since we heard the fantastic news that HMNZS Aotearoa would have a Taranaki base following our long and successful association with her predecessor HMNZS Endeavour and HMNZS Taranaki before that,” Holdom said in a statement.
JASON DORDAY/STUFF The ship’s company will be given permission to parade through New Plymouth.
Key timings for Friday s Charter Parade for