There was plenty of emotion as two New Zealand Navy vessels today returned home for Christmas.
Hundreds of friends and family of those on board HMNZ ships Te Mana and Aotearoa waited eagerly for their loved ones to arrive.
The vessels returned to a ceremonial homecoming, including gun salutes from ship and shore.
Reporter Tessa Parker was at Devonport Naval Base for the emotional reunions. (Source: 1News)
There was also a haka from those on board and a response-in-kind from the wharf.
One woman, who was waiting for her fiance, said: "I'm so excited, my stomach is going in circles."
One sailor said it was "overwhelming" to be back home after nearly six months away and she was looking forward to spending time with her family.
The ships have been deployed on a range of operations including joint-exercises and diplomatic port visits to Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia.
Te Mana also conducted its first successful Sea Ceptor surface-to-air missile firings and completed the final part of the frigate’s testing and evaluation process of the upgraded combat, surveillance and counter-measures systems.
SHARE ME