Raoul Island resupplied

It was a matter of three services and a government agency pitching in for a common goal when HMNZS CANTERBURY offloaded fuel for the Department of Conservation (DOC) staff on Raoul Island last week.

Members of CANTERBURY, DOC, the New Zealand Army and the Royal New Zealand Air Force helped ferry around 17,000 litres of diesel for the remote islands electricity generation for the coming year.

Fuel, airlifted by the ship’s Seasprite helicopter and unloaded by the ships sea amphibious lift team included AVCAT aviation fuel kept on the island for a potential emergency evacuation of staff from this remote base.

Eleven staff are currently based at Raoul, comprising DOC personnel and volunteers mainly focused at present on weed eradication from the island which is a Nature Reserve. They also provide daily meteorological readings while also maintaining an official presence on New Zealand’s northern most territory.

Although the Raoul Island re-supply differs in scope to activities the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) contingent onboard CANTERBURY were involved in New Caledonia last week, it demonstrates the versatility that is required of the New Zealand Defence Force.

Commanding Officer of CANTERBURY Commander Tony Millar said, “The Raoul Island operation helps DOC but also hones the ships capability”

“The Navy is committed to supporting government agencies and we were happy to provide the DOC with assistance for the re-supply of Raoul Island. Activities such as the re-supply continue to enhance the ongoing interoperability and cooperation between the New Zealand Navy and related Government departments.”

Department of Conservation spokesperson Tim Brandenburg stated the operation provided the first opportunity for him, as the Islands new Area Manager based in Warkworth, to visit the island.

“The islands remote location over one thousand kilometres from New Zealand is a huge logistical challenge for us. This trip we were able to bring much needed supplies and technical personnel and scientists to undertake essential work on the island. The support of the New Zealand Defence Force in helping us maintain this remote base cannot be understated”, he said.

Members of CANTERBURY helped move 34 tonnes of fuel and supplies to Raoul Island two weeks ago whilst on passage to take part in an international exercise in New Caledonia.

ENDS

Background of Royal New Zealand Navy and Raoul Island:

The RNZN has been supporting the DOC at Raoul Island since 1987 delivering staff and personnel and bringing them home. With the delivery of Inshore Patrol Vessels and Offshore Patrol vessels through Project Protector, the Navy will be more frequently involved in activities such as supporting DOC around the New Zealand coastline, the EEZ and other areas of responsibility.

Raoul Island Background:

Many families including the Bell family tried to establish farming on Raoul since the mid 19th Century.

The Met Service continued farming on the island up until 35 years ago. The weather station is now managed by DOC staff on the island.

All the islands in the Kermadec Group, of which Raoul is one, have been rid of animal pests including goats, cats and rats. This has enabled birdlife to return including the Kermadec Parakeet and many species of seabirds including endemic forms.

The biodiversity programme is continuing with an intensive weed eradication programme to facilitate the restoration of the islands unique biodiversity.
The Kermadecs are surrounded by a huge marine reserve out to 12 nautical miles, the largest marine reserve in NZ.

Staff on the island number 11 at the moment with five permanent DOC staff on annual rotations and six volunteers who work on the island for 5-6 month periods.

The Kermadec Islands are situated on the Kermadec Ridge, an active volcanic arc running from White Island in the Bay of Plenty to Tonga.

Raoul Island is one of NZ’s most active volcanoes, having recent eruptions in 1814, 1870, 1886, 1964 and 2006.