HMNZS Tawhai was a New Zealand-built composite Castle-class trawler built for the Royal New Zealand Navy during World War II for the intention for use as a minesweeper, later being converted into a fishing trawler.

The vessel was ordered after the New Zealand government, facing a requirement for more minesweepers to operate in home waters, chose the Castle-class design because it was simple enough to be built with the country's limited ship construction facilities at the time.

[1] Tawhai was the last of four composite minesweepers to be built for the RNZN, the others being Hinau, Manuka, and Rimu.

[2] At the 28 September 1943 Navy Office conference, use of the Tawhai as a servicing vessel was considered but was declined.

[2] Tawhai would be 'work suspended' at the date of delivery when 95% complete and was declared surplus to the War Assets Realisation board in October 1944 for disposal.