I suspect that it was up at Samoa was because King Charles was making a visit. If it is available, it is not unusual for there to be a backup evacuation ship in the area whenever a head of state makes a visit to another country. I suspect that they decided to do some survey work while they were in the area. Sounds like a good use of resources.
The Royal New Zealand Navy is VERY small. Their biggest problem is finding crews for their ships. In this case I think they chose poorly.
SpyNavy
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)