Dame Patsy spoke at the Commissioning ceremony for the HMNZS Aotearoa at the Devonport Naval Base in Auckland yesterday.
Dame Patsy is Ship Sponsor and as such has a role in the life of the ship as long as it remains a part of the RNZN fleet.
As well as speaking and inspecting the Guard of Honour, Dame Patsy also cut the cake, with the asistance of the ship's youngest sailor Able Marine Technician Samuel Marsh
