Commissioned in 1966, HMNZS WAIKATO came equipped with the latest technology including a Wasp anti-submarine helicopter capable of carrying two homing torpedoes to deal with hostile submarines.
Two Wasp helicopters were ordered for the WAIKATO, one coming to New Zealand with the ship, and the other as cargo in an Air Force Hercules transport. Between them they formed the Naval Helicopter Section, Helicopter Support Flight, No.3 Battlefield Support Squadron, RNZAF. The squadron was an example of co-operation among the three Armed Services, with the Air Force providing training for Navy and Army pilots and maintenance for Wasp and Sioux helicopters. The Air Force also provided the aircraft maintenance staff who went to sea in the WAIKATO to service the helicopter on board.
In November 1979, the frigate WAIKATO and her Wasp helicopter went to the aid of an injured Russian seaman on board the Soviet trawler ARDATOV in foul weather about 300 miles south-east of Bluff. The man who flew the WAIKATO's Wasp, Lieutenant Joe Tunnicliffe, as he was popularly known, was awarded the Air Force Cross for 'his skilful and courageous flying'. The two men who were winched on to the deck of the ARDATOV, Medical Chief Petty Officer Bill Filmer and Sergeant Barry Woodcock, RNZAF, were also decorated, Filmer with the British Empire Medal and Woodcock with the Queen's Medal for Bravery. The fourth man in the Wasp team, Sergeant Bob Foreman, RNZAF, was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Bravery.
RNZN Deployments to South East Asia
- The Commonwealth Strategic Reserve 1955 - 1971= 2
- ANZUK Force October 1971 - January 1974= 2
- NZ Force South East Asia 1974 - 1989= 10
WAIKATO was sunk in December 2000 off Northland as a dive wreck, near the former TUI.