During the 1930s modern vessels replaced the older ships on the New Zealand Station. The two old Flower-Class sloops were replaced: HMS LEITH relieved VERONICA in 1934, while HMS WELLINGTON relieved LABURNUM in 1935. It was intended that HMS AUCKLAND relieve LEITH, but WWII intervened.
In 1935 it was agreed that two modern Leander-Class cruisers would replace DIOMEDE and DUNEDIN. Tensions were rising in Europe, and after leaving New Zealand DIOMEDE spent some months at Aden with the East Indies Fleet during the Abyssinian crisis of 1935-36. Then her crew recommissioned HMS ACHILLES as a New Zealand ship. ACHILLES spent nine weeks with the Mediterranean Fleet before resuming her passage to New Zealand. In 1937 HMS LEANDER replaced DUNEDIN.