HMNZS Pukaki

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There does not appear to be an "official" website for this ship. Aspen-Ridge.Net is looking for Deep Freeze photos and information about this ship.

LOCH Class Characteristics: 

Displacement: 2,260 tons full load
Dimensions: 93.6 x 11.9 x 2.7 meters (307 x 39 x 9 feet)
Propulsion: 2 shafts, VTE, 2 boilers, 5,500 ihp, 19 knots
Crew: 141
Radar: Type 277 or Type 272 (LOCH ACHANALT)
Sonar:
Fire Control:
EW: HF/DF (High Frequency Direction Finder)
Armament: 1 4" Mk.VIC single, 1 quad 2 Pdr., 2 20mm twin guns, 2 20mm single guns, 2 Squid ASW mortar, 2 depth charge throwers.

31 March 1999

       Rt Hon Winston Peters

                 Nuclear Test Veterans

       Rt Hon Winston Peters MP, Leader of New Zealand First, today noted the first anniversary of the delivery by New Zealand First of its promise to award full war pensions to the sailors on the frigates HMNZS Pukaki and HMNZS Rotoiti who were engaged in " Operation Grapple"-a British hydrogen bomb testing programme at Malden and Christmas Island in 1957 and 1958.

       "But after the National -New Zealand First Coalition Government dissolved, the National Government hesitated and has now gone back on its signed commitment to fund up to $200,000 in legal expenses for a possible class action by New Zealand veterans against the United Kingdom Government.

       "Those funds were factored into the last budget round, and the one before that. Yet the present Treasurer has the gall to tell the New Zealand Nuclear Test Veterans Association on 23 February 1999 that their application to uplift these funds has been unsuccessful. "This is both unjust and mean minded. The sum involved is a pittance when measured against the cost of the war pensions that would have been paid out had these veterans had their nuclear service properly recognized at the time.

       "This is not just a mean-minded but a small-minded Government. After the upcoming General Election, when New Zealand First is again in a position to influence Government policy, we will ensure resourcing for such an action as     promised in the Coalition Agreement," said Mr Peters.    ENDS
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