The Royal New Zealand Navy's inshore patrol boat HMNZS Hawea has arrived at the Port of Tauranga today.

HMNZS Hawea is one of four RNZN Inshore patrol vessels designed for maritime surveillance and patrol missions around New Zealand's 15,000-kilometre coast, and out to the 200 nautical mile limit of the Exclusive Economic Zone.

The inshore patrol boats undertake maritime security patrols, surveillance, boarding operations and respond to search and rescue call-outs.

The patrol boats were built in Whangarei by BAE Systems Australia (formerly Tenix Shipbuilding). Hawea was commissioned in 2009.

The ships are highly manoeuvrable and capable of speeds up to 25 knots (46 km/h). They undertake boarding of other vessels using the Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats on davits near the stern.

The inshore patrol boats have a crew of 24 naval personnel and four Government agency officers. They also have the capacity to host 10 additional personnel onboard for general naval training or other duties.

The patrol boats regularly work with government agencies such as Primary Industries (fisheries), Customs, Police and the Department of Conservation and are frequent visitors to ports throughout the country.

They patrol New Zealand's major fishing grounds, including the West Coast of the South Island, Marlborough Sounds, Cook Strait, Northland and the North Island East Coast.

The 55m long patrol boat pulled into port this morning and is expected to depart next week on Tuesday at 10am.