Project Protector
In mid-2007, the ship became the first Project Protector vessel to enter service, but problems during her early career required a remedial program to be put in place.
Four Protector class inshore patrol vessels (IPVs) were built at Tenix's North Island shipyard, and entered service during 2009.
Because of the delay in bringing the ships to active duty (all seven were due into service by the end of 2007), BAE Systems Australia (which had acquired Tenix in 2008) was required to pay a compensatory settlement to the RNZN in early 2010.
[1][2] The RNZN was also required to develop a non-military operational capability that would allow it to undertake tasks such as disaster relief, throughout the region.
[1] The MFR also found that the navy's two Anzac class frigates were both overcapable and too few in number to effectively patrol New Zealand's waters, and that tying them up on these duties prevented their use on more suitable deployments.
[4] The decision not to order the additional two frigates suggested under the Anzac acquisition project and the increased operational tempo during the early 2000s was straining the navy's capabilities and needed to be addressed.
[1] In July 2002, the New Zealand government sent details of Project Protector to 60 shipbuilders and ship design companies, and invited submissions from interested parties.
[7] In early 2010, the RNZN received a NZ$86.4 million settlement from BAE Systems Australia (which had acquired Tenix in 2008) as compensation for the delayed entry-into-service dates of the seven ships, along with defects in the sealift ship design, problems including a 100-ton displacement increase in the offshore patrol vessels, and other issues across the project.
[4] The RNZN had previously tried to establish a sealift capability with the acquisition of HMNZS Charles Upham in the mid-1990s, but attempts to convert the former roll-on/roll-off freighter were unsuccessful, and the ship was decommissioned in 2001.
[2] Two 23-metre (75 ft) landing craft medium (LCM) are carried by Canterbury for situations where wharf unloading is unavailable; these can be launched and recovered via the cranes, while "marriage blocks" and "flippers" help the LCMs dock with the stern ramp.
[2] It was originally planned to have Canterbury commissioned into the RNZN during January 2007, but delays meant that the ship did not enter service until June 2007.
[2][6] Problems were encountered early in the ship's career, relating primarily to the RHIB alcove docks, which were in a position to be easily swamped, with resulting damage to the boats themselves.
[9] Up until the reviews, offshore patrol of the nation's EEZ had been undertaken by the Anzac class frigates, which were both too few in number and overqualified for the duties; deploying them in this manner meant they were unavailable for higher intensity operations for which they were more suited.
[2] The 1,740-tonne (1,710-long-ton; 1,920-short-ton) displacement, 85-metre (279 ft) long vessels were based on an Aker Marine design operated by the Irish Naval Service.
[4] They could not be updated to the standard required by the Maritime Forces Review, so new ships were instead ordered to replace them on a one-for-one basis.
[2] The first IPV, HMNZS Rotoiti, was launched in July 2007, and during sea trials exceeded several design expectations: her maximum speed of 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) was a knot higher than expected, she was capable of double her 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) designed range, and she had better seakeeping ability in heavy conditions than first thought.
