Initially I wasn't going to keep the past names active but with pressure and lack of other names they were included (Manawanui, Monowai and Tui). I also created a blog giving a run down of the new possibilities and linked websites of the three past ships. Click here for that blog.
So on the 5th February I constructed a Survey Monkey Poll page which eventually gained 75 votes.
The demographics suggest 80% of the 75 votes are from EX RNZN veterans, with 15% coming from Twitter and maybe others from various links I put around. Fair to say the voters from Navy Veterans have had a big part to play in the process (selection/voting) and acknowledgement to civilians through my blog on Facebook and Twitter, Kiwis helping Kiwis.
| Name | %age | Vote |
| Kupe | 32.00% | 24 |
| Monowai | 18.67% | 14 |
| Manawanui | 16.00% | 12 |
| Mataora | 9.33% | 7 |
| Maui | 8.00% | 6 |
| Kiwa | 8.00% | 6 |
| Tui | 8.00% | 6 |
And a resounding win goes to HMNZS Kupe by a goodly margin. I am canvassing Ministry of Defense (Navy) or MARCOM staff (if that is what it is called now) with this March Past summary to see if they see it as a valid exercise.
I also found a prominent statue depicting Kupe - maybe an idea going forward as a Crest??
Ka kite ano whanau
Thane Zander
Palmerston North
Ex CPOAHS 1975 - 2002
