The end of New Zealand service has come for Wellington’s two long-serving tugs Toia and Ngahue. Renamed Delta 200 and Delta 300 respectively, the two veterans departed their former home on 14 November 2014, bound for a new life in Dubai.
New Zealand-built, by Whangarei Engineering & Construction Co Ltd, Kupe was delivered in 1971, followed by Toia the following year and Ngahue in 1977. All three were propelled by Voith-Schneider multi-directional units which, in service, have provided superb reliability.
Ship handling work at the Port of Wellington has now been passed to the recently-acquired harbour tugs Tiaki and Tapuhi, making the older tugs surplus. Kupe remains in New Zealand and is presently operating at New Plymouth. VHY
