Irirangi to be upgraded

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 6, 8 July 1986, Page 10

Irirangi to be upgraded

In early March the Minister of Defence approved a project to upgrade the buildings and equipment at HMNZS Irirangi, the RNZ Navy communication station in Waiouru. Irirangi traces its history back to the Naval Wireless Telegraph Station established in September 1942 as part of a combined Airforce and Navy Wireless Station. The site was chosen in those wartime days to provide security from possible seaborne commando raids. After the war the Air Force soon moved out and the station was commissioned as HMNZS Irirangi in October 1951. Lieutenant Commander (later Rear Admiral) L.G. Carr, RNZN was its first Commanding Officer. The present operational buildings date from those

days and today are both a fire hazard and a security problem when compared with modern standards. Irirangi's administration and accommodation were moved, during 1973, into Waiouru Military Camp from the original Hihitahi site. Since that time ATG Waiouru has provided many of the support functions for the communications station.

Nevertheless Thorne Park, Irirangi's sport ground named for Rear Admiral E.C. Thorne, the ship's second commanding officer, remains at the original location and is one of the best rugby fields in the northern Wanganui district. Replacement of Irirangi's transmitter building is the first part of the project. The new building will consoli-

date operational, stores and aerial rigging facilities under • one roof with consequent savings in maintenance and running costs. It will also provide a far better working environment both for the maintainers and the equipment leading to an improved operational capacity. Rebuilding will begin next summer.