WELLINGTON, New Zealand – US Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) recently concluded a month-long engagement with New Zealand, strengthening ties with the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and reinforcing the US Coast Guard’s commitment to Oceania. The engagements included professional exchanges, bilateral maritime law enforcement trainings, and enhanced cooperation between the two nations in support of a peaceful, secure, prosperous, and resilient region.
During Midgett’s transit from Honolulu to Wellington, three RNZN members experienced operations aboard the cutter as part of an exchange program with the Coast Guard.
While in Wellington, Midgett’s crew participated in several events with the RNZN, the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ), the New Zealand Maritime Police, and members of the local community. These events included a reception hosted by the RNZN, visits to the RCCNZ and the Maritime Police Base, a community event with Waka Ama’s outrigger canoes, and ship tours for more than 200 people.
The Coast Guard is an instrument of national power that bridges the divide between defense, diplomacy, and law enforcement, and creates opportunities to further national objectives and priorities. These engagements provided invaluable opportunities for personnel from both nations to interact, discuss experiences, and learn about roles in their services and communities. “The integration of our New Zealand partners into our crew was seamless and highly beneficial,” said Capt. Matthew Rooney, commanding officer of Midgett. “The professional exchanges and shared experiences, along with the friendships forged and sea stories shared, will undoubtedly enhance our ability to operate together in the future.”
The Coast Guard values New Zealand’s active engagement in international security efforts. This partnership is vital to countering destabilizing behavior in the Pacific that undermines mutual prosperity, economic well-being, and the health of the marine ecosystem. This visit builds on the Memorandum of Agreement signed with the RNZN in 2023, allowing both nations to share experiences and knowledge to cultivate best practices. The Coast Guard looks forward to continuing this partnership, based on mutual respect and shared values, to promote security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
Commissioned in 2019, Midgett is the eighth Legend-class national security cutter and is homeported in Honolulu. National security cutters are 418-feet long, 54-feet wide, and have a 4,600 long-ton displacement. They have a top speed of more than 28 knots, a range of 12,000 nautical miles, an endurance of up to 90 days and can hold a crew of up to 170.
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