Zealandia or "Z" as she was affectionately known, served some of her life during the 1914 1918 Great War overseas in various campaigns.

On June 21st 1940 Zealandia commenced her second period of war service, and was converted at Sydney as a troop transport. June the 29th she embarked 890 troops, and a full cargo of stores and equipment, these consisted of the 2/21st Battalion and other units for Darwin, after discharge of troops and equipment she commenced her return trip to Sydney.

South bound Zealandia was diverted to Bowen Queensland to load 1801 tons of bunker coal, and to then proceed to Manila in the Philippines, and there to embark 332 women and children who had been evacuated from Hong Kong ahead of the Japanese invasion. These evacuees were landed at Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

With the Japanese forces closing in on Australia, the need for an efficient land route from Darwin to Alice Springs, became of the upmost importance. Heavy road making machinery was loaded, and an army of men materials and troops were embarked at Melbourne and Sydney for the construction of this vital land route, the only access into Darwin at this particular time was by ship, and this sea-road was being continually harassed by submarine and air attack. Once again Zealandia was designated the task, and steamed north to Darwin to open up the access to Australia's frontline defence, for American and Australian forces. She returned via Townsville, and loaded a full cargo of sugar for Sydney.

Four more trips were made to Darwin via Port Moresby and Thursday Island, transporting troops and materials for building defence against the Japanese thrust south.

April 19th 1941 Zealandia departed Sydney, on board were 738 troops, 928 tons of logistic stores and equipment for Rabaul, she then proceeded to Noumea New Caledonia, where 587 Free French troops were embarked for Sydney under escort of Cruiser H.M.A.S. Adelaide.

Zealandia's next voyage was the transport of Australian troops to Singapore. 104 were embarked at Sydney, 458 at Melbourne,and 192 at Fremantle, plus 1819 tons of equipment stores and supplies, being part of the ill fated 8th Division. Those who survived the cold-blooded tortures of Changi Prison as POW's, and the calculated cruelty to which their captors subjected them, were pitiful wrecks of their former selves, and at wars end survivors were brought home by the Hospital ship Wanganella also of Huddart Parker Co.

The next two trips she made calls at Rabaul, Kavieng, Darwin, Thursday Island and Port Moresby. On these trips 1220 passengers 821 troops, 4983 tons of defence equipment stores and supplies were transported.

Her next voyage was to Singapore via Fremantle escorted by HMAS "Sydney" It was after leaving Zealandia on November 18th 1941, that "Sydney" met her fate. The next day she met the heavily armed German commerce raider "Kormoran" and was lost with all hands.

Darwin, 19th February 1942, Zealandia whilst at anchor was the last vessel to be attacked by Japanese dive bombers and fighter planes, on the ill-fated raid. One bomb landed down number 3 hatch exploding in the hold, more bombs found their mark, dive bombers raked the ship at masthead height with incendiary and cannon shell. Every effort was made to extinguish the fires, but with the ship ablaze from stem to stern the position became hopeless,

Ammunition in the hold and on deck exploded. The Master gave the order to abandon ship, the crew of 139 officers and men crowded into the remaining lifeboats. As they pulled away from the ship, Zealandia was settling by the stern, and at 1 pm she settled on her side and sank. Two men J. Mason (AB), and P. O'Connell (Fireman), died on the Hospital Ship Manunda

After long and faithful service "Zealandia"or "Z" as she was faithfully called, died in action.