Royal Navy top brass visiting New Zealand

The British Royal Navy's top officer is due in New Zealand today for a brief visit and talks with New Zealand defence chiefs.

Admiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh, the Royal Navy's First Sea Lord and chief of naval staff, was due to meet New Zealand chief of naval staff Rear Admiral Peter McHaffie and the recently appointed chief of defence force Air Marshall Bruce Ferguson.

He was also due to visit the Joint Force Headquarters at Trentham, north of Wellington.

Sir Nigel joined the Royal Navy in 1963 and has served in a variety of vessels, including patrol boats, an aircraft carrier and has commanded two destroyers.

- NZPA