Navy ship Wellington's Whangārei open day cancelled

HMNZS Wellington is stopping in Whangarei and will be open to the public. Photo/ File

A planned open day on the HMNZS Wellington on Sunday has been cancelled as the vessel has been retasked.

After months on the high seas, the Wellington was to have docked in Whangārei on Sunday and lower the gang planks to the public.

HMNZS Wellington was on its way back to Auckland after a month-long exercise in the Pacific with French, Australian, Fijian, Vanuatu and Tongan navies.

The naval ship will not now be calling in to Whāngarei Harbour on Sunday, as advertised.

The Wellington was due to make the visit on route down Northland's east coast, on its way home from a month's exercises in the Pacific.

A navy spokesman said the ship has been ''retasked'' to go straight to the Devonport naval base, but will visit Whāngarei in the near future.