The HMNZS Waikato is one of the large navy vessels being sunk by Tutukaka Coast Promotions.

Name Dive Site:	HMNZS Waikato
Depth:	8-28m (26-91ft)
Inserted/Added by:	first_light_travel
Specifications:

HMNZS Waikato was purposefully sunk in November 2000 and now lies 30 meters down and bolt upright on the seabed. She has large holes cut in the side to make entry and exit very safe and less experienced divers will gain valuable wreck diving experience from the vessel. The shallowest part of the wreck is only 8 meters from the surface.

Built by Harland & Wolfe Ltd, Belfast; the Waikato was launched by HRH Princess Alexandra on 18 February 1965. She was the first Leander Class frigate to be built for the Royal New Zealand Navy. Its size is 113.4 meter times 12.4 meter with a total displacement of 3182 tons. The ship took her name from the North Island province of Waikato and was the first New Zealand commissioned naval vessel to bear the name. She was adopted by the Waikato city of Hamilton and the ships company participated in a final Charter Parade in the city as part of the decommissioning.

In her service days the Waikato was fitted with modern air and surface warning radar and navigation aids along with undersea detection equipment. The ships twin 115mm guns had a long range and a high rate of fire. The ships crest features a Taniwha, a water monster and legendary guardian of the Waikato people and their river.

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