The New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) sealift and amphibious support ship HMNZS Canterbury conducted an amphibious landing at Titirangi Bay and Okiwi Bay in Marlborough in November 2015 as part of NZDF’s largest military exercise, Exercise Southern Katipo 2015.
Exercise Southern Katipo involves more than 2,000 personnel from nine nations (including the NZDF) in Marlborough on New Zealand's South Island.
Landing Craft were launched from HMNZS Canterbury and transported equipment including Medium Heavy Operating Vehicles (MHOV) and personnel to the shore.
HMNZS Canterbury has an extensive range of capabilities including the ability to land personnel, vehicles and cargo by landing craft, helicopter or ramps, as well as conventional port infrastructure.
She can carry up to 250 people as well as her own crew for long periods, and has played a significant part in previous disaster relief efforts such as the Samoa earthquake and tsunami in 2009 and the Christchurch earthquake in February 2011.