TE MANA ready for the year

KEEPING THE TE MANA TEMPO

On 8 July HMNZS TE MANA and her 175-strong Ship’s Company enjoyed a substantial ceremonial homecoming to New Zealand, following a three-year frigate systems upgrade in Canada.

In the months ahead, TE MANA will undertake a series of trials, tests, and exercises, allowing for the progressive release of the ship’s operational capabilities. At time of writing this includes a deployment to Brisbane, Melbourne and Hobart, and port visits to Wellington and Tauranga. TE MANA, and her sister ship HMNZS TE KAHA have both been upgraded and are now on a par with New Zealand’s allies, says Rear Admiral David Proctor, Chief of Navy. “This provides us with an effective and future-proofed combat capability well into the 2030s.”

Will you marry me?

Petty Officer Seaman Combat Specialists aren’t prone to nervousness, but there was a lot on the line for Jacob Biddle as HMNZS TE MANA arrived at Devonport.

He was about to propose to his partner of three years, Takimoana Hawea, and he hadn’t been quiet about it – the entire ship knew about his plan. POSCS Biddle had been in Canada for about a year of TE MANA’s three-year Frigate Systems Upgrade, and had spent that time planning his proposal, including the tricky logistics of getting the right ring at the right size. According to Stuff News, who were on board for the arrival, POSCS Biddle bought two silver rings, telling Hawea it was so they could have matching rings – and he could get her ring size without any suspicion. He then bought the engagement ring during a visit home in February and had it resized during TE MANA’s stopover in Hawaii. On Calliope Wharf, as Hawea ran towards POSCS Biddle, he dropped to one knee and asked her to marry him, bringing out the ring. The answer was yes, with Hawea leaping into an embrace as POSCS Biddle put his arm in the air, eliciting cheers from his crewmates.

Hawea, who is also serving, said she had no idea the proposal was coming. “I was shaking. I loved it. It was perfect,” she told Stuff News. Hawea also had no idea the lunch she had planned for Biddle’s return would also be her engagement celebration, which their whānau was all in on.