HMS Achilles was a light cruiser of the Royal New Zealand Navy, launched in 1939. She was originally built for the Royal Navy and served during World War II. The ship was equipped with advanced armaments and played a significant role in naval operations in the Pacific and the Indian Ocean. During her service, HMS Achilles participated in several key battles, including the Battle of the River Plate in 1939, where she engaged the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee. After the war, she continued to serve until being decommissioned in 1948 and was eventually sold for scrap in 1970.