In 1945, the Navy's composition was reviewed. It was decided to retain a core of two cruisers. However ACHILLES was considered too old and GAMBIA too large. Ships of a similar type were preferred, so the modern modified Dido-Class light cruisers BELLONA and BLACK PRINCE were acquired in 1946. These well-equipped anti-aircraft cruisers were seen as a potential complement to the Royal Australian Navy's proposed aircraft carrier force. In addition to the new cruisers, the RNZN had the corvettes ARABIS and ARBUTUS, with the smaller KIWI and TUI available for training duties. The Fairmiles and HDMLs were retained in reserve.
By 1948 events in Europe had shown the Cold War was a reality. Modern Soviet submarines could not be ignored, even in the South Pacific. New Zealand joined with Australia and the United Kingdom in the ANZAM agreement for the defence of Malaya, and our Navy's contribution was to provide a convoy protection and anti-submarine force. Consequently six Loch-Class anti-submarine frigates were purchased in 1948 from Britain. ARABIS and ARBUTUS, fully owned by New Zealand, were returned to the United Kingdom in part payment. With the new frigates came a commitment to provide at least one ship if required for the defence of Hong Kong. To assist the Navy develop its overall standards, two of our frigates were sent on exchange to the RN's Mediterranean Fleet in 1950.
New Zealand acquired HMNZS BLACK PRINCE in 1946 from the British Admiralty. She was the first of two RNZN 'Improved Dido' class cruisers intended to be operated as aircraft carrier escorts. In a combined task group, RNZN Dido-class cruisers could provide anti-aircraft firepower for the RAN's planned carriers. By 1953 BLACK PRINCE had had her wartime anti-aircraft armament of quad-mounted pom poms and 20mm Oerlikons replaced by eight single 40mm Bofors, four on the bridge structure and four amidships.
In 1953 BLACK PRINCE joined the RAN aircraft carrier SYDNEY at Melbourne, where they formed as the ANZAC Squadron. In March they sailed for the United Kingdom to attend celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. SYDNEY had only one squadron of Firefly strike fighters embarked, and BLACK PRINCE was plane guard during flying operations. The spare accommodation was given to the New Zealand and Australia Victoria Cross and George Cross winners, who were all invited to the coronation.
On 15th June the young Queen reviewed her navies, which were assembled at Spithead on the Solent, the historic seaway outside Portsmouth; BLACK PRINCE was New Zealand's representative. After the Royal Fleet Review, BLACK PRNCE stayed in the United Kingdom and the Mediterranean until September, undertaking an intense round of training, exercises and visits, including a special visit to Gallipoli.
Before she returned to New Zealand, our cruiser served as flagship of the British contingent that responded to the 1953 Greek Earthquake.
For the South Pacific leg of the Queen's 1953-54 Royal Tour of the Commonwealth, BLACK PRINCE was the Royal Guard ship. After the Royal Tour, BLACK PRINCE resumed the Navy's familiar routine of exercises, training, and deployments.
BLACK PRINCE's active career in the RNZN was relatively short. She reverted to reserve and an alongside-training role in 1956. In 1962 she was finally sold for scrap.