The Royal New Zealand Navy’s largest support vessel, HMNZS Aotearoa, docked at the Manila South Harbor on Friday for a goodwill visit, underscoring Wellington’s commitment to deepening defense ties with the Philippines.

The port call marks the vessel’s second visit to the Philippines in five years and comes six months after the signing of the Philippines–New Zealand Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), a landmark deal that strengthens military cooperation and facilitates the entry of each country’s defense forces for joint activities.

Speaking to reporters aboard the ship, New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Catherine McIntosh described the visit as a reflection of her country’s growing engagement with Manila in the defense sector.

“This goodwill visit by the ship shows how keen and delighted New Zealand is to increase our activities and strengthen our relationship with the defense sector,” McIntosh said.

HMNZS Aotearoa first visited the Philippines in 2023, before joining a multilateral maritime cooperation activity (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea a year later alongside the Philippines, Australia, the United States, and Japan.

With the SOVFA now in place, HMNZS Aotearoa Commanding Officer Robert Welford expressed optimism about participating in more such activities in the future.

“We’re open to it, and I think any ships that are operating in this region—be it this ship or other ships in the future—will always be looking for opportunities to work with our allies in the region,” Welford said.

During its Manila stop, the ship’s officers will conduct a series of defense engagements and courtesy calls with their Philippine counterparts until 3 November. 

HMNZS Aotearoa’s Manila port call follows recent deployments in Singapore and Vietnam. After departing the Philippines, the vessel is scheduled to sail to Japan for the next leg of its regional mission.

“I think that tells you how important New Zealand considers the Philippines. The Indo-Pacific—and Southeast and Northeast Asia—are very important to New Zealand,” Welford added.

The Commander also underscored the mutual benefits of cooperation with the Philippine Navy, particularly in littoral operations and archipelagic waters. 

“We can learn from the Philippines Navy in areas like operating closer to land and using local knowledge, while we offer training in replenishment at sea and high-value unit exercises,” he said.

Commissioned in July 2020 and built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, Aotearoa has three primary roles: as a replenishment ship providing fuel and supplies to other vessels at sea; an Antarctic resupply vessel capable of operating in extreme polar conditions; and a logistics support vessel for humanitarian and disaster relief operations. 

A notable example of its humanitarian role was the 2022 response to the volcanic eruption in Tonga, where the ship delivered essential supplies and fresh water.

The ship’s visit highlights New Zealand’s increasing visibility in Indo-Pacific defense cooperation and reinforces the growing strategic partnership between Wellington and Manila amid evolving regional security dynamics.