In 1975–77, "Waikato" was given an extensive mid-life refit, and essentially modified to the specifications of HMNZS "Canterbury" with the mortar and VDS wells suppressed and replaced by an enlarged helicopter landing pad, intended for Lynx helicopters that were never ordered and a closed circuit TV system to monitor helicopter operations from the flight deck. Surface and navigation radar was also updated to current RN standards a rather inexpensive alteration. At the time the RN had already rebuilt its early Leanders at great expense with Ikara missiles and computer action automation of weapon systems and the second batch "Leander"s of the same type as "Waikato" were to have their gun turret replaced with Exocet missiles, receiving additional Seacat launchers and improved C3. The cost of the later Ikara RN modernisations and the modernisation the Batch 2 RN "Leander"s often exceeded that of new built Type 21 frigates. The cost of modernisation of the "Leander"s depended on the hull age, and a nine-year old Leander like "Waikato" could almost certainly have been rebuilt, with automated 76 mm, CIWS in the mid 1970s, in the pattern of the Dutch "Leander" modernization at an affordable cost compared with the very costly modernization of a 12-year-old frigate like HMS "Dido" or HMNZS "Wellington".