The New Zealand naval task group returned after a four-month Indo-Pacific deployment designed to strengthen operational cooperation with regional partners.
Frigate HMNZS Te Mana completed its first mission monitoring United Nations sanctions on North Korea, adding enforcement work to training and diplomacy.
The Army and Air Force also participated, including P-8A maritime patrol aircraft and personnel supporting surveillance, boarding and regional awareness.
Australia remained the central partner as New Zealand's only formal ally, but the deployment worked with a much broader group of navies.
Replenishment ship HMNZS Aotearoa conducted 45 at-sea transfers for ships from Australia, Canada, the United States, South Korea, Italy and Japan.
The mission included first fuel transfers to Italian and Japanese vessels and operational use of a new acquisition and cross-servicing arrangement with Japan.
A P-8A operated from the Philippines, while New Zealand units joined Exercise Bersama Lima in Singapore alongside an infantry platoon and boarding team.
The deployment shows Wellington using logistics, surveillance and multinational exercises to maintain a regional presence without relying on a large fleet.
