New Zealanders are being presented with a rare opportunity to design the badge for the Royal New Zealand Navy's newest and largest-ever ship, HMNZS Aotearoa.

'This is a unique opportunity for all New Zealanders to play a part in how their ship will be presented to the world, ” says defence Minister Mark Mitchell. 'It's a chance for Kiwis to create an enduring piece of Navy history.”

The competition to design a badge for HMNZS Aotearoa, begins today. Details on how to enter are here.

The winning design will be selected by the Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral John Martin, and announced on Waitangi Day next year.

The winner will be presented with the finished and mounted badge of Aotearoa and will also get a tour of the Devonport Naval Base and have a sea ride around the harbour on a Navy ship.

Once the Navy takes delivery of Aotearoa currently scheduled for January 2020, the winner will also spend a night on the ship on a leg of her New Zealand sea trials.

Aotearoa will be the Navy's new maritime sustainment vessel and fleet tanker, replacing HMNZS Endeavour, and will also enhance combat operational capability, provide humanitarian aid and disaster relief and support monitoring operations in the Southern Ocean.

A Navy ship's badge reflects the name of a ship and the role it performs. It needs to be simple yet striking. The competition is open from today and closes on 1 December.

The badge of the current navy supply ship HMNZS Endeavour, which HMNZS Aotearoa is replacing.Photo: Supplied.