After three years away from home, HMNZS Te Mana sailed into Devonport's Naval Base in Auckland on Friday morning.
More than 700 family and friends lined the wharf to greet the 175 crew members in scenes of utter jubilation.
And for one couple it was an extra-special reunion.
There were tears, PDA and every emotion under the grey Auckland sky as HMNZS Te Mana sailed into Waitemata Harbour.
It was a welcome home that J-Dog, Smallman, Josh, Tayna, Matt, dad, uncle and all the 175 crew on board will never forget.
First was a haka from the wharf and then a reply from the ship. Once the gate opened, so did the floodgates of emotion.
As commanding officer, Commander Mike Pebbles walked off first to reunite with his family.
And the tears of joy didn't stop there, especially when Petty Officer Jacob Biddle, who had been away from his partner for a year, got down on one knee.
No pressure, but with a proposal like that the answer was of course 'yes'.
"Double celebration now," the couple said. "I loved it, it was perfect. Glad that my darling's home now."
The HMNZS Te Mana has been away in Canada for three years undergoing a frigate systems upgrade.
Crew members were deployed in instalments, some spending up to two years away from home.
"Great to be home," one member said. "Big dinner then a few beers I think."
"It's really good, it's been 18 months too long," another said.
It all took about four weeks for Te Mana to sail the 12,000km home.
The ship's upgrade means we can make a bigger contribution to international operations.
But not before the crew gets some quality time with whanau.
