In July 2004, the New Zealand Ministry of Defence engaged Tenix Defence Pty Ltd to construct four Inshore Patrol Vessels, two Offshore Patrol Vessels and one Multi Role Vessel under Project Protector. The Royal New Zealand Navy will operate the vessels for a range of New Zealand Government agencies.
On 28th July 2004 Tenix Defence Pty Ltd and Merwede Shipyard signed a contract for the design, engineering and construction of the Multi Role Vessel.
The vessel, the keel of which was laid on the 6th September 2005, is launched the 11th February 2006, and will carry the pennant number L421. The vessel will be formally named at its commissioning into the Royal New Zealand Navy.
The launch will be performed by Bronwyn Chisholm