Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 31) — The biggest and newest ship of the Royal New Zealand Navy has arrived in the Philippines for a three-day goodwill visit.
His Majesty’s New Zealand Ship (HMNZS) Aotearoa docked in Manila on Monday after visiting Malaysia, Vietnam, and Singapore.
The Philippines is the ship’s last stop in Southeast Asia before returning to New Zealand.
“The visit demonstrates our increasing engagement in Southeast Asia and of course, the Philippines is an important part or country in the region,” Commander Rob Welford of HMNZS Aotearoa said in an interview.
Welford noted that the visit is part of New Zealand’s security strategy, which was launched in August, to help ensure peace in the region.
“New Zealand would like to engage with like-minded countries, countries which share our values and we support each other in maintaining rules-based order,” he added.
HMNZS Aotearoa is a logistic support ship that transports fuel to help reload other ships, including those of foreign partner countries.
New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Kell said the visit of a Kiwi navy ship after six years reflects the strength of the bilateral relations between the two countries.
“The visit reflects New Zealand’s own commitment to doing its bit to keep our region safe, open, and secure, and to strengthen relations with our partners in the region such as the Philippines,” Kell said.
HMNZS Aotearoa is part of Operation Crucible, the largest naval deployment to the Indo-Pacific region of the New Zealand Defence Force.
“It is a measure of the goodwill and friendship that exists between the governments and people of New Zealand and the Philippines,” Kell added.
