After almost six months away, and just in time for Christmas, two Navy ships arrived back home on Friday - as hundreds of eager whanau members waited on the docks to greet them.
Crews from both HMNZS Te Mana and Aotearoa sailed into the Devonport Naval Base about an hour ago to a ceremonial homecoming of gun salutes from ships and shore.
HMNZS Te Mana Commanding Officer J J McQueen spoke to Charlotte Cook.
