HMNZS Te Mana on maiden visit to Seychelles |17 February 2014

New Zealand high commissioner to Seychelles James Kember and Commanding Officer Shane Arndell of the Royal New Zealand Navy hosted a ceremony last week to celebrate the maiden visit of HMNZS Te Mana to Seychelles.

The ceremony started with the lowering of the flag at sunset in the presence of several government ministers, Chief Justice Fredrick Egonda Ntende, members of the diplomatic corps and other distinguished guests.

The HMNZS Te Mana forms part of an international combined task force supporting and providing maritime security in the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean and the Horn of Africa.

“With the new high commissioner of New Zealand accredited in July 2012, and last year’s working visit of Minister McCully, we have strengthened our ties and have unlocked new opportunities for partnership between our two countries,” Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Paul Adam said while addressing the guests.

He added that Seychelles is grateful for the support that New Zealand has provided in capacity building by providing scholarships to young Seychellois.

He also took the opportunity to outline some similarities that the two countries have such as the blue economy.

Mr Kember thanked the navy for its support and courage in serving the Royal New Zealand Navy.

He pointed out that the crew has been away from home for seven months and they are using their stay in Seychelles as the time to relax before returning home in a few more weeks.

HMNZS Te Mana (F111) is one of 10 Anzac class frigates and one of two serving in the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN).