NZ Confirm They Will Not Be Sending The Navy's 4.8m Quintrex And Two Personnel To Strait Of Hormuz

ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact

The New Zealand Government has followed Australia in confirming that will not be sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz at this time.

As the conflict between Iran and the United States threatens to spiral into an extended war that engulfs many neighbouring countries, President Donald Trump has called on friendly nations to send security forces to ensure shipping lanes remain open. The request comes after the US initially said on Twitter it was unnecessary for friendly nations to do so.

For our odd but ultimately nice cousins across the Tasman, it means their navy's 4.8m Quintrex and two personnel will remain in Auckland Harbour for the time being.

Roy Manaaki and Tom Bannockburn are the current Navy in New Zealand. Roy is from the Bay of Plenty area and Tom is from Greymouth on the South Island. Despite looking similar, they are not related. Their ship is a 4.8m Quintrex that is armed with two CZ 550 chambered to .308. The government recently spend nearly NZ$1000 retrofitting a new bimini and chilly bin. It's powered by a 20hp Yamaha 4-stroke that once belonged to Tom's uncle.

The new bimini makes it easier for Roy and Tom to smoke while on duty, especially in foul weather.

The Navy's last deployment was during the Chinese Navy's live fire exercise off the coast of Sydney late last year, when Roy and Tom were sent out to shooo them away from New Zealand's waters. However, it was later revealed that the Chinese sailors were able to secure passage through the nation's maritime border by throwing twelve cartons of Double Happiness cigarettes down to them.

The United States is yet to respond to the ANZACs refusing to send machines of war to the Middle East.

More to come.