This year the 'A' in ANZAC stands for Australian ships

Three Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ships are arriving at ports around New Zealand prior to Anzac Day, and members of their crews will march alongside New Zealand Defence Force personnel at commemorative services around the country.

The Royal New Zealand Navy’s Captain of Fleet Operational Support, Captain Jim Gilmour, says the visit by three Australian frigates – HMAS NEWCASTLE, HMAS PERTH and HMAS WARRAMUNGA - is a tangible expression of our ongoing close relationship with Australia.

“ANZAC Day will forever be a part of what it is to be a New Zealander or an Australian. It is particularly pleasing that this year in New Zealand, we are able to commemorate the sacrifices at Gallipoli with three Royal Australian Naval units,” says Captain Gilmour. “The values and bond between our countries was forged upon the Gallipoli Peninsula and as such, ANZAC is part of national identities.”

The visiting ships are:

• HMAS NEWCASTLE, an Adelaide Class Guided Missile Frigate, will be berthed at Queens Wharf in Auckland City over the period Tuesday 24 April to Sunday 29 April. Some of her 206 crew will be on parade for Anzac Day both at the Auckland and Devonport War Memorials. NEWCASTLE will fire blank rounds from her saluting guns, whilst at her berth in Auckland Harbour, during an official function on Thursday 26 April between 6pm and 8pm.

• HMAS PERTH is an Anzac Class Frigate, the same class as New Zealand’s own HMNZS TE MANA and TE KAHA. PERTH will be berthed in Wellington, at Queen’s Wharf from Sunday 22 April to Thursday 26 April.

• HMAS WARRAMUNGA is an Anzac Class Frigate (Helicopter) that was commissioned in to the Australian Navy in 2001. The ship and her crew of over 170 will visit the ports of Tauranga (24 – 28 April), Wellington (4 – 7 May) and Dunedin (11 – 14 May) during her time in New Zealand.

As it is an operational visit by the three RAN ships they will not be open to the public.