HMNZS Wakakura (T00) was originally a First World War Castle-class naval trawler built in Canada. She was purchased by New Zealand in 1926 and transferred to the Royal New Zealand Navy when it was established in 1941. Wakakura remained in commission throughout the Second World War and was sold to Tasman Steamship Co and converted to a refrigerated cargo vessel in 1947. She displaced 530 tons standard, could manage 10 knots (19 km/h) and was equipped with a 4-inch (102 mm) gun during World War II. Wakakura is a Māori word which means "precious canoe" or "training boat".